DSS research survey reveals relationship between engagements, health literacy

Aug 10 2010

DSS Research, the leader in market research for the health insurance industry, developed a proprietary set of metrics that gauge the level of engagement in health care on the part of the consumer.  This quarter we added extra questions to further test the relationship between different literacy measures and the level of engagement amongst commercial and Medicare populations and the uninsured.

Consumer engagement is at the forefront of many initiatives to get individuals to take responsibility for their care and health literacy is a critical component of getting these consumers engaged.  Even well-educated individuals lack confidence when it comes to understanding medical information and filling out medical forms.  Those who are able to follow detailed directions and correctly distill information found on nutrition labels still admit seeking help or lacking confidence when it comes to medical information. 

Literacy is highly correlated with demographic characteristics such as education, income and ethnicity, as well as, attitudes about health care and current health status.  However, engagement is more correlated with medical claims, health care knowledge and healthy behaviors than is literacy alone.  Consumer engagement is more correlated with measures of confidence in reading and understanding health related information than it is with more typical literacy measures related to reported problems or difficulties using health information and materials.  Household income is a better predictor of self-reported problems with health information and level of confidence in filling out medical forms than is level of education.  Hispanics are much more likely than other ethnic groups to report problems with health information, but are comparable to other ethnic groups regarding their level of confidence in filling our medical forms and the frequency with which they need someone to help them read instructions or other written materials

There is a difference between having the ability to read and understand complex instructions and having confidence that you have correctly filled out a medical form or correctly interpreted medical instructions.  Having the skills to read labels, interpret charts and make mathematical calculations does not ensure that an individual is capable and comfortable interpreting verbal and written communications from health care providers and health insurance organizations.  Only the most engaged consumers exhibit the levels of health literacy and health care knowledge necessary to navigate the complex health care system and follow all the recommended healthy behaviors.  Health literacy is a necessary building block, but not sufficient in itself to ensure consumer engagement.  Confidence level and household income appear to be better estimators of an individual's likelihood of successfully obtaining needed medical care than more typical measures of literacy and education level.

SOURCE DSS Research