Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)

School

Public Health

Advisor

Chester Jones

Abstract

Health literacy is a topic often referred to by public health professionals to help improve the health of a population. This study used a quantitative approach to understanding health information among women of different races, income levels, household sizes, and education levels within a specific age range. This study used the socio-ecological model for its framework. The overall goal of this study was to improve health disparities and improve health communication one population at a time. Women tend to be the pillar of communities. Having a better understanding of how women understand health information could improve public health outreach. The variables collected in the study are part of the annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2016. This study looked at race, income, marital status, number of children in the household, education level completed, verbal health communication, and written health communication and addressed gaps in research when it comes to specific populations and health literacy understanding. Although this study had multiple variables, income level, race and education were the variables that were significant when it came to understanding health information. Essentially, for women to understand health information there needed to be intentional approaches to those that are within poverty, minority groups and those with low education. The study also showed that there is a lack of information regarding health literacy collected or studied on a consistent and longitudinal basis. The positive social change impact from this study determined to have continued efforts and consistent assessments of health literacy among women and other specific populations of minority, poverty and low education completion.

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