Age Differences in Genetic Knowledge, Health Literacy and Causal Beliefs for Health Conditions

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the levels of genetic knowledge, health literacy and beliefs about causation of health conditions among individuals in different age groups. Methods: Individuals (n = 971) recruited through 8 community health centers in Suffolk County, New York, completed a one-time survey. Results: Levels of genetic knowledge were lower among individuals in older age groups (26–35, p = 0.011; 36–49, p = 0.002; 50 years and older, p<0.001) compared to those in the youngest age group (18–25). Participants in the oldest age group also had lower health literacy than those in the youngest group (p <0.001). Those in the oldest group were more likely to endorse genetic (OR = 1.87, p = 0.008) and less likely to endorse behavioral factors like diet, exercise and smoking (OR = 0.55, p = 0.010) as causes of a person’s body weight than those in the youngest group. Higher levels of genetic knowledge were associated with higher likelihood of behavioral attribution for body weight (OR = 1.25, p <0.001). Conclusions: Providing additional information that compensates for their lower genetic knowledge may help individuals in older age groups benefit from rapidly emerging genetic health information more fully. Increasing the levels of genetic knowledge about common complex diseases may help motivate individuals to engage in health promoting behaviors to maintain healthy weight through increases in behavioral causal attributions.

Genetic Knowledge within a National Australian Sample: Comparisons with Other Diverse Populations

“…Several studies have attempted to quantify the knowledge of human genetic concepts among general populations around the world including within the United States [10, 11], Finland [12], and Western Australia [13]. With the exception of Molster et al [13], the bulk of research within Australia has investigated genetic knowledge within clinical groups [20-22].…”

“…Surprisingly, current awareness and potential misconceptions of genetic concepts within the general public have received limited attention in the literature. Whereas some attempts to document levels of genetic knowledge (the ability to identify correct facts about genetics) within populations have been made [10-13], only few studies explore variations in such knowledge over time and across geographical divides [14]. …”

Family health information sharing among older adults: reaching more family members

“…Older individuals tend to have more knowledge about the health history of family members (Foster et al 2002), especially the information about previous generations (Green et al 1997). However, older adults may be less likely to share FHH with family members due to the lower levels of health literacy and knowledge about genetics among them compared to younger individuals (Ashida et al 2010). Although some also worry about alarming family members with threatening health information especially regarding highly penetrant conditions like Huntington's disease and hereditary cancer syndromes (Beery and Williams 2007;van Oostrom et al 2007b), communicating FHH about more commonly occurring complex diseases like heart disease and nonhereditary cancer is likely to be less threatening (Rolland and Williams 2005).…”

The Critical Challenge of Educating the Public About Genetics

“…Literacy levels also tend to be lower among older adults [20]. As genomics moves into medicine, this may be particularly problematic because older patients are the most likely to be affected by common complex diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, and the impact of pharmacogenetics.…”