Motivation for a health-literate health care system-does socioeconomic status play a substantial role? implications for an irish health policymaker

Diarmuid Coughlan, Brian Turner, Antonio Trujillo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this article, the authors argue that the association between socioeconomic status and motivation for a health-literate health care system has implications for health policymakers. As Ireland now undergoes health care reform, the authors pose the question, "Should policymakers invest in health literacy as predominately a health inequalities or a public health issue?" Data from 2 cohorts of the Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition (1998 and 2002) were used to construct a motivation for a health-literate health care system variable. Multivariate logistic regressions and concentration curves were used in the analyses of this variable. Of the 12,513 pooled respondents, 46% sought at least 1 attribute on a health-literate health care system. No discernible trend emerged from the main independent variables-social class grouping, medical card eligibility, level of education, and employment-in the regression analyses. The concentration curve, for 2002 data, graphically showed that the motivation for a health-literate health care system is spread equally across the income distribution. This analysis and more recent data suggest that health literacy in Ireland should be viewed predominately as a public health issue with a policy focus at a system level.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)158-171
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of health communication
Volume18
Issue numberSUPPL. 1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 4 2013

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Communication
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Library and Information Sciences

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