Who is at risk of having low health literacy?

Individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups may experience low health literacy due to a variety of factors, including cultural differences, language barriers, and socioeconomic challenges. These elements can impede their understanding of health information, navigating healthcare systems, and effectively communicating with healthcare providers.

Low health literacy is not confined to specific demographics like older adults, high-income individuals, or those with chronic diseases. In fact, individuals across various age groups, income levels, and health statuses can experience challenges with health literacy. The implications of low health literacy are far-reaching, affecting the ability to make informed health decisions and leading to poorer health outcomes. Therefore, recognizing that racial and ethnic minorities are at significant risk is crucial for developing targeted health communication strategies and interventions aimed at improving health literacy across diverse populations.