University of Cincinnati - Office of Sponsored Programs

Project Title
An Assessment of Functional Health Literacy Among Patients Served in Primary Care Providers to the Poor Practice Settings
Grant Description
To provide an assessment of functional health literacy among patients treated in practice settings of primary care providers and develop recommendations for health literacy interventions.
Focus Area
Strengthening Primary Care Providers to the Poor
Region Served
Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland, and Warren Counties, OH; Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, and Pendleton Counties, KY; Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland Counties, IN
Award Amount
$138,885
Year Awarded
1999
Grant Duration
9 months
Results The Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research will study the functional health literacy (FHL) among patients treated in practice settings of primary care providers who serve the poor (PCPP). The assessment will include focus groups, a prevalence survey, and an analysis of health promotional materials currently available in PCPP sites.

The major questions are:

  1. What is the prevalence of FHL in greater Cincinnati? How does health literacy vary by race, gender, age, ethnicity, geography, and health status?
  2. What are the coping skills used by patients with inadequate FHL?
  3. At what reading levels are the existing materials?
  4. What are the best practices for dealing with inadequate FHL? How should The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati proceed given these results?

Working with the Institute for Policy Research, we will interview 650 adult patients in 8-12 PCPP sites within the 20-county region served by The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, using a standardized test of FHL and a questionnaire derived from our focus group discussions. Hispanic patients will be interviewed in Spanish when appropriate. The analyses will be stratified according to relevant variables. Coping mechanisms will be described qualitatively, from information gleaned from the focus groups, and quantitatively, from the prevalence statistics. Health promotional materials will be collected from PCPP offices and analyzed for reading level. The study will conclude with recommendations for The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and the community.

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