Mental health care and health literacy

摘要

Health literacy has been identified as a major predictor of an individual's health status (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2004). People with low health literacy understand health information less well and receive fewer preventive health services (IOM, 2004). They are more likely to have a chronic illness and less likely to effectively manage that illness (Mayer & Villaire, 2011). They are frequently unable to navigate the various health care structures for needed services (Mayer & Villaire, 2011). They have a higher rate of hospitalization and use of emergency services, leading to billions of dollars in avoidable health care costs (IOM, 2004).