Health literacy is associated with health behaviour and self-reported health: A large population-based study in individuals with cardiovascular disease

Comprehensive Health Literacy and Health-Related Behaviors Within a General Japanese Population: Differences by Health Domains

The present study aimed to explore how different health-related domains of health literacy, as measured by the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, were associated with health-related behaviors among a general population in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 1002 Japanese residents. Our questionnaire addressed socioeconomic status, health status, health-related behaviors, and health literacy. Among the 3 health-related domains of health literacy (health care, disease prevention, and health promotion), a multivariate model revealed that the disease prevention domain was associated with exercise behavior and alcohol consumption. The health promotion domain was associated with dietary behavior and exercise behavior. There were strong correlations among all health-related domains of health literacy; however, there were different associations between health literacy and health-related behaviors depending on those domains. Additional research is needed to determine how and to what extent each domain of health literacy is related to what health behaviors and outcomes.

Low health literacy: Implications for managing cardiac patients in practice

There are limited data on racial and ethnic disparities related to quality of life (QoL) and health literacy in adults with multiple cardiac conditions. This article evaluates the relationship between health literacy and QoL among patients with cardiac conditions in a multiethnic community in New York City.

Improvement of health literacy and intervention measurements among low socio-economic status women: findings from the MyBFF@home study

Background

Health literacy (HL) consists of different components and associates with several health outcomes, including obesity. It is linked to an individual’s knowledge, motivation, competencies, behavior, and application to everyday life. The present study aimed to determine the change of HL scores and to investigate the difference of intervention outcomes at the weight loss (WL) intervention and WL maintenance phase between the HL groups.

Methods

A total of 322 participants from the MyBFF@home study completed the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) test at baseline. However, only data from 209 participants who completed the NVS test from baseline to WL intervention were used to determine the HL groups. Change of the NVS scores from baseline to WL intervention phase was categorized into two groups: those with HL improvement (increased 0.1 score and above) and those without HL improvement (no change or decreased 0.1 score and more). Independent variables in this study were change of energy intake, nutrient intake, physical activity, anthropometry measurements, and body composition measurements between baseline and WL intervention as well as between WL intervention and WL maintenance. An Independent sample t-test was used in the statistical analysis.

Results

In general, both intervention and control participants have low HL. The study revealed that the intervention group increased the NVS mean score from baseline (1.19 scores) to the end of the WL maintenance phase (1.51 scores) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in sociodemographic characteristics between the group with HL improvement and the group without HL improvement at baseline. Most of the dietary intake measurements at WL intervention were significantly different between the two HL groups among intervention participants. Physical activity and body composition did not differ significantly between the two HL groups among both intervention and control groups.

Conclusion

There was an improvement of HL during the WL intervention and WL maintenance phase in intervention participants compared to control participants. HL shows positive impacts on dietary intake behavior among intervention participants. New research is suggested to explore the relationship between HL and weight loss behaviors in future obesity intervention studies.

Potential and limitations of health policy to improve coronary heart disease prevention and to reduce the burden of disease: A Russian experience

Background Mortality from cardiovascular diseases is particularly high in Russia compared with the European average. The National Priority Project 'Health', launched in 2005, aimed to promote prevention of non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, in primary care and to increase availability of state-of-art cardiovascular disease management. Methods This is a multiregional population based study with analysis of indicators for cardiovascular health and coronary heart disease in Moscow, St Petersburg, the Moscow region and across Russia, including a total population of 143.7 million inhabitants between 2005 and 2013. Data were collected using conventional methodology and originate from open statistical sources. Results The overall age-standardized coronary heart disease mortality decreased in 2005-2013 by 24.7% from 383.6 to 289.0 per 100000 population, but with substantial interregional differences: it declined from 306.1 to 196.9 per 100,000 in Moscow (-35.7%), from 362.1 to 258.9 per 100,000 in St Petersburg (-28.5%) and from 433.8 to 374.3 per 100,000 in the Moscow region (-13.7%). Income in Moscow exceeded the national average 2-3-fold, and Moscow had the highest availability of modern treatments and interventions. Although vegetables, fruits and fish consumption increased overall in Russia, this trend was most prominent in Moscow. Indicators for psychosocial well-being also were best in Moscow. Life expectancy in Moscow is almost six years higher than the Russian average. Conclusion Health policy interventions turned out to be successful but with substantial interregional differences. Lower coronary heart disease mortality and higher life expectancy in Moscow may be due to a more favourable socioeconomic and psychological environment, more healthy eating and greater availability of medical care.