People over 65 who can’t read or understand basic health info –prescription bottles, appointment slips, or even their doctors, etc.- are more likely to die sooner than more literate seniors. "Inadequate health literacy is associated with less knowledge of chronic disease and worse self-management skills for patients with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, asthma and heart failure," according to a study at Northwestern University.
From Scientific American: July 23, 2007
Confused older patients die sooner: study
By Ishani Ganguli
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Understanding doctors' orders can be a matter of life or death for senior citizens: those who had trouble comprehending their physicians died sooner than their more savvy peers, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Medicare clients who were confused by pill bottles or appointment slips were 52 percent more likely to die over the six years of the study, especially from heart disease.
"Patients with inadequate literacy know less about their diseases ... They are much more likely to be hospitalized," said Dr. David Baker of Northwestern University, who led the research.
"It's not just higher hospital rates. It's significantly higher mortality."
Baker and colleagues followed 3,260 Medicare patients 65 and older in four U.S. cities. To test the volunteers' so-called health literacy, which drops with age, they quizzed them on how well they understood prescription bottles, appointment slips and insurance forms. MORE
From Scientific American: July 23, 2007
Confused older patients die sooner: study
By Ishani Ganguli
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Understanding doctors' orders can be a matter of life or death for senior citizens: those who had trouble comprehending their physicians died sooner than their more savvy peers, U.S. researchers said on Monday.
Medicare clients who were confused by pill bottles or appointment slips were 52 percent more likely to die over the six years of the study, especially from heart disease.
"Patients with inadequate literacy know less about their diseases ... They are much more likely to be hospitalized," said Dr. David Baker of Northwestern University, who led the research.
"It's not just higher hospital rates. It's significantly higher mortality."
Baker and colleagues followed 3,260 Medicare patients 65 and older in four U.S. cities. To test the volunteers' so-called health literacy, which drops with age, they quizzed them on how well they understood prescription bottles, appointment slips and insurance forms. MORE
Sixty Things to do When You Turn Sixty: 60 experts on the subject of turning 60, edited by Ronnie Sellers Publisher Ronnie Sellers Productions, c2006.
~ first essay: Be a grouch / Garrison Keillor
The 100-year Lifestyle by Eric Plasker
The 100-year Lifestyle by Eric Plasker
Avon, Mass.: Adams Media, c2007.
Blogathon 2007
