Integrating Social and Family Support as a Measure of Health Outcomes: Validity Implications from the Integrated Model of Health Literacy

Online health information searching and health literacy among middle-aged and older adults: A cross-sectional study

Given the rapid increase in health information available, health literacy is now more important than ever when searching for health information online. Furthermore, health literacy and online health information searching are reported to be associated with support from others. In this study, we examined the associations of health literacy and social support with online health information searching among individuals in their 50s and 60s. Between March and May 2022, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire was administered among 750 middle-aged and older adults (age 50-69) living in northern Japan. The questionnaire items included personal characteristics, frequency of online health information searching, health literacy domains, and social support. A total of 237 respondents answered all the items (response rate: 31.6%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that communicative health literacy was significantly associated with searching for information about illnesses and health promotion, while critical health literacy was significantly associated with searching for information about medical institutions. Controlling for personal characteristics, health literacy, was associated with online health information searching, suggesting that improving health literacy is important in a digital and information society.

Improving health literacy using the power of digital communications to achieve better health outcomes for patients and practitioners

Digital communication tools have demonstrated significant potential to improve health literacy which ultimately leads to better health outcomes. In this article, we examine the power of digital communication tools such as mobile health apps, telemedicine and online health information resources to promote health and digital literacy. We outline evidence that digital tools facilitate patient education, self-management and empowerment possibilities. In addition, digital technology is optimising the potential for improved clinical decision-making, treatment options and communication among providers. We also explore the challenges and limitations associated with digital health literacy, including issues related to access, reliability and privacy. We propose leveraging digital communication tools is key to optimising engagement to enhance health literacy across demographics leading to transformation of healthcare delivery and driving better outcomes for all.

Health literacy and the role of social support in different age groups: results of a German cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

Scholars demand more focus on context-related factors of health literacy as the management of health information is seen as a social practice. One prominent factor is social support that is expected to be particularly relevant for persons vulnerable for low health literacy. It was shown that health literacy can differ across the life span and especially older people have been demonstrated to be vulnerable for low health literacy. Therefore, health literacy and the relation of social support on health literacy in different age groups should be investigated.

METHODS

In a German nationwide survey 2,151 adults were interviewed face-to-face. General comprehensive health literacy was measured with the HLS19-Q47 which differentiates single steps of health information management - access, understand, appraise, and apply. Social support was measured with the Oslo 3 Social Support Scale. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed for all respondents and for five age groups.

RESULTS

Health literacy is relatively low in all age groups but particularly low among old-old people (76 + years). Also, the youngest adults (18-29 years) have slightly lower health literacy than middle-aged adults. On average, health literacy is higher among people with higher social support but this association varies between age groups. It tends to be quite strong among younger adults (18-45 years) and young-old persons (65-75 years) but is weak among older middle-aged (46-64 years) and old-old persons. The association also differs between steps of information management. It is stronger for accessing and applying information but there are differences in age groups as well.

CONCLUSIONS

Social support is a relevant aspect to improve individuals' health literacy and therefore should be addressed in interventions. However, it is necessary to differentiate between age groups. While both young adults and particularly old-old persons are challenged by health information management, young adults can strongly profit from social support whereas it can barely compensate the low health literacy of old-old persons. In addition, different challenges in information management steps in different age groups need to be considered when designing health literacy interventions. Thus, target group specific services and programs are needed.

Heterogenous subtypes of health literacy among individuals with Metabolic syndrome: a latent class analysis

Objective To explore the heterogenous subtypes and the associated factors of health literacy among patients with metabolic syndrome.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 337 patients with metabolic syndrome were recruited from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital in Zhejiang Province from December 2021 to February 2022. The Social Support Questionnaire, Short version of the Health Literacy Scale European Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16), and MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status were used for investigation. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to explore the heterogenous subtypes of health literacy among Metabolic syndrome patients. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of the latent classes.Results The findings of LCA suggested that three heterogeneous subtypes of health literacy among individuals with metabolic syndrome were identified: high levels of health literacy, moderate levels of health literacy, and low levels of health literacy. The multinomial logistic regression results indicated that compared with low levels of health literacy class, the high levels of health literacy class were predicted by age (OR 0.932, 95%CI[0.900-0.966]), socio-economic status (OR 1.185, 95%CI[1.058-1.328]), and social support (OR 1.065, 95%CI[1.012-1.120]). Compared with low levels of health literacy class, the moderate levels of health literacy class were predicted by age (OR 0.964, 95%CI[0.934-0.995]), socio-economic status (OR 1.118, 95%CI[1.006-1.242]), male (OR 0.229, 95%CI[0.092-0.576]).Conclusion The levels of health literacy among patients with metabolic syndrome can be divided into three heterogenous subtypes. The results can inform policy-makers and care professionals to design targeted interventions for different subgroups among patients with metabolic syndrome who are male, at older age, have less social support, and with disadvantaged socio-economic status to improve health literacy.