Health literacy: strengthening agency or changing structures?

Razum, Oliver; Weishaar, Heide; Schaeffer, Doris

doi:10.1007/s00038-016-0788-x

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Our findings may serve as starting points for two types of studies. First, studies should investigate the structural constraints (e.g., low education, low social status, and unhealthy material and social environment) that possibly thwart positive and long-lasting effects of health literacy interventions (Razum et al 2016). Second, more sophisticated intervention studies are needed that put rigorous attention on the interplay between health literacy and personal factors like motivation, conscientiousness, and emotional support regarding different health outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis

Rüegg

Abel

2019

Int J Public Health

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Objectives Previous studies indicate substantial correlations between low health literacy and poor health outcomes. However, empirical findings remain inconsistent and are theoretically challenging. In this study, we conceptually place health literacy within an established model of health inequality. Studying multiple pathways, we estimate the associations between health literacy and six health outcomes and decompose these associations with health literacy's covariates. Methods Cross-sectional data from the Young Adult Survey Switzerland was used for the analyses (n = 5959, age = 18-25). Logistic regression and KHB decomposition analyses were applied to estimate health literacy's coefficients and confounding percentages. Results Eleven covariates were associated with health literacy (p \ 0.001). Ten covariates reduced the naïve health literacy coefficient when included in the regression models (confounding percentages: 36.7-86.9%). In three out of six models, the confounding effects led to non-significant health literacy coefficients. Conclusions We found that health literacy's associations with health outcomes are confounded by socioeconomic, material, psychosocial, and health-related factors. More investigations on the causal importance of health literacy, respectively, on its potential to health promotion are required.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The 5-item instrument from Schwarzer and Jerusalem (1995) assessed the level of general self-efficacy among the respondents (index from 5 to 20). The 10-item instrument from Rammstedt et al (2013) assessed two of the big five personality traits conscientiousness and openness by principal component analysis.…”

Section: Psychosocial Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis

Rüegg

Abel

2019

Int J Public Health

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“…They constitute additional risk factors for poor health and barriers to healthcare that are relatively more common among migrants compared to native European populations. Poor levels of health literacy may lead to less optimal health behaviours, poorer health status and limited access to high quality healthcare [ 28 , 29 ]. For example, inability to read and act upon written information on how to lower risks for diabetes or how to access a range of medical services may negatively affect the health of aging migrants.…”

Section: Similarities and Differences In Aging Processes Across Migramentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging and health among migrants in a European perspective

et al. 2016

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Population aging and the associated changes in demographic structures and healthcare needs is a key challenge across Europe. Healthy aging strategies focus on ensuring the ability to maintain health, quality of life and independent living at old age. Concurrent to the process of population aging, the demographics of Europe are affected by increased migration resulting in substantial ethnic diversity. In this paper, we narratively review the health profile of the growing proportion of aging migrants in Europe, outline key factors shaping health among this diverse group and consider ways of addressing their healthcare needs.Although factors shaping aging processes are largely similar across populations, migrant-specific risk factors exist. These include exposure to health risks before and during migration; a more disadvantaged socioeconomic position; language barriers and low health literacy; cultural factors influencing health-seeking behaviours; and psychosocial vulnerability and discrimination affecting health and quality of life. Overall, migrants experience the same morbidity and mortality causes as the native populations, but with different relative importance, severity and age of onset and with substantial differences within and between migrant groups. Little is known regarding health behaviours among aging migrants, although differences in cancer screening behaviours have been identified. Indications of widening health differentials between migrants and native populations with age and informal barriers to quality healthcare for aging migrants are causes of concern.In conclusion, there is a need for attention to migration alongside other determinants of healthy aging. The diversity in individual characteristics, life course processes and contextual factors shaping aging processes among migrants point to the need for a sensitive and comprehensive approach to policies, practices and research within the field of healthy aging. This is important to accommodate for the needs of the growing number of aging migrants in Europe and counter inequities in health and well-being at old age.

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“…Health literacy is the ability to access, understand, appraise, communicate, and apply health information to maintain good health and make sound health-related decisions. Health literacy aims to influence individual health-seeking behaviour including the utilization of screening, compliance to taking drugs and treatments, and the management of chronic disease [24]. It is important that health literacy interventions work collaboratively with migrant groups in order design appropriate health promotion programs.…”

Section: Applying Health Literacymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Challenge of Promoting the Health of Refugees and Migrants in Europe: A Review of the Literature and Urgent Policy Options

Laverack

2018

Challenges

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This paper provides a rapid review of the literature on the current knowledge on health promotion for improved refugee and migrant health in the European region. The aim of the paper is to identify implications for future policy and practice. The literature review used standard systematic methodologies to search databases followed by data extraction and synthesis. General sources of grey literature were also included in the review as well as consultations with people working in the field. The paper identifies the lack of knowledge on how to engage with refugees and migrants in a culturally competent way, to address fear and violence and the application of health literacy. The review of the literature also identifies evidence to support peer education, working with community-based organisations and the tailoring of interventions to the needs of refugees and migrants. The paper concludes with a discussion of the technical content and future implications for the implementation of health promotion programs.

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Health literacy: strengthening agency or changing structures?

Cited by 9 publications

References 10 publications

The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis

The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis

Aging and health among migrants in a European perspective

The Challenge of Promoting the Health of Refugees and Migrants in Europe: A Review of the Literature and Urgent Policy Options

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