Journal article
Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Population-Based Sample of Cancer Patients
Journal of health communication, v 20(11), pp 1320-1329
02 Nov 2015
PMID: 26161549
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Health-related quality of life is an important outcome in cancer care. A few studies indicate that health literacy influences cancer patients' health-related quality of life, but additional investigation is needed. The authors examined the relation between health literacy and health-related quality of life among cancer patients. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with cancer patients in Wisconsin during 2006-2007. Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life, and health literacy were obtained from the state's cancer registry and a mailed questionnaire. Regression analyses were used to characterize the association between health-related quality of life and health literacy. The study sample included 1,841 adults, newly diagnosed with lung, breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer in 2004 (response rate=68%). Health-related quality of life was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Adjusting for confounders, higher health literacy was associated with greater health-related quality of life (p<.0001). Controlling for covariates, we found significant differences between those in the highest and lowest health literacy categories (p<.0001) and in the physical (p<.0001), functional (p<.0001), emotional (p<.0001), and social (p=.0007) well-being subscales. These associations exceeded the minimally important difference threshold for overall health-related quality of life and functional well-being. Health literacy is positively and independently associated with health-related quality of life among cancer patients. These findings support adoption of health literacy best practices by cancer care systems.
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Details
- Title
- Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life Among a Population-Based Sample of Cancer Patients
- Creators
- Julie L. Halverson - College Station Medical CenterAna P. Martinez-Donate - University of Wisconsin–MadisonMari Palta - University of Wisconsin–MadisonTiciana Leal - University of Wisconsin–MadisonSam Lubner - University of Wisconsin–MadisonMatthew C. Walsh - College Station Medical CenterJeanne Schaaf Strickland - University of Wisconsin–MadisonPaul D. Smith - College Station Medical CenterAmy Trentham-Dietz - University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Publication Details
- Journal of health communication, v 20(11), pp 1320-1329
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Number of pages
- 10
- Grant note
- T32HS000083 / Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; United States Department of Health & Human Services; Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Control Program P30CA014520 / NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI) Wisconsin Partnership Program P30 CA14520 / UW Carbone Cancer Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000361986100009
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84943199570
- Other Identifier
- 991020099301604721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Communication
- Information Science & Library Science