Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2013 Jul;20(4):311-9.
doi: 10.1053/j.ackd.2013.04.005.

Health literacy: emerging evidence and applications in kidney disease care

Leigh Anne Dageforde  1 , Kerri L Cavanaugh
Affiliations
Review

Health literacy: emerging evidence and applications in kidney disease care

Leigh Anne Dageforde et al. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Health literacy represents the communication among patients, their social networks, providers, and health systems to promote patients' understanding and engagement in their care. This is particularly relevant in kidney disease, in which the complexity of the medical condition and the extent of the health-care team require strategies to overcome health-literacy-related barriers. Limited literacy is common in patients with all stages of kidney disease and is associated with important outcomes, including reduced knowledge, less adherence, hospitalization, and death. A growing understanding and characterization of the health system, or organizational health literacy, may further our understanding of this dynamic relationship. Although various valid methods exist, assessment of health literacy within individuals or systematically within care settings has not been routinely performed. This may be in part due to the limited research in kidney-specific strategies to address limited health literacy. Future research to understand the mechanisms of health literacy will permit targeted, efficient interventions to bridge gaps and improve outcomes even in patients with complex kidney disease.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Components of literacy. Adapted with permission from the National Academies Press.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Integrated conceptual model of health literacy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Szczech LA, Harmon W, Hostetter TH, et al. World Kidney Day 2009: problems and challenges in the emerging epidemic of kidney disease. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;20(3):453–455. - PubMed
    1. Couser WG, Remuzzi G, Mendis S, Tonelli M. The contribution of chronic kidney disease to the global burden of major noncommunicable diseases. Kidney Int. 2011;80(12):1258–1270. - PubMed
    1. Rutkowski M, Mann W, Derose S, et al. Implementing KDOQI CKD definition and staging guidelines in Southern California Kaiser Permanente. Am J Kidney Dis. 2009;53(3 suppl 3):S86–S99. - PubMed
    1. Curtin RB, Walters BA, Schatell D, Pennell P, Wise M, Klicko K. Self-efficacy and self-management behaviors in patients with chronic kidney disease. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis. 2008;15(2):191–205. - PubMed
    1. Berkman ND, Sheridan SL, Donahue KE, Halpern DJ, Crotty K. Low health literacy and health outcomes: an updated systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2011;155(2):97–107. - PubMed

Publication types