Risks associated with low functional health literacy in  an Australian population

Saunders, Margo H; Peerson, Anita

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2010.tb03596.x

Topics

To the Editor: The comments about health literacy by Adams and colleagues1 and Nutbeam2 are timely, given findings that 60% of Australians lack basic health literacy skills.2 Despite attention given to health literacy by the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, current discussions remain worryingly limited.

1 Canberra, ACT.
2 Deakin University, Geelong, VIC.

Correspondence: margos@aapt.net.au

1. Adams RJ, Appleton SL, Hill CL, et al. Risks associated with low functional health literacy in an Australian population. Med J Aust 2009; 191: 530-534. <MJA full text>
2. Nutbeam D. Building health literacy in Australia [editorial]. Med J Aust 2009; 191: 525-526. <MJA full text>
3. Nutbeam D, Wise M, Bauman A, et al. Goals and targets for Australia’s health in the year 2000 and beyond. Report for the Commonwealth Department of Health, Housing and Community Services. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1993.
4. Zarcadoolas C. Advancing health literacy: a framework for understanding and action. In: Office of the Surgeon General, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Proceedings of the Surgeon General’s Workshop on Improving Health Literacy; 2006 Sep 7; National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, Md.
5. Kickbusch I. Health literacy: skilling students for better health. Virtually Healthy 2006; Term 3 (41): 2-3. Centre for Health Promotion, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, Government of South Australia.
6. Peerson A, Saunders M. Health literacy revisited: what do we mean and why does it matter? Health Promot Int 2009; 24: 285-296.
7. Peerson A, Saunders M. Men’s health literacy: advancing evidence and priorities. Crit Public Health 2009; 19: 441-456.

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