The Experience of African American Adults with Low Health Literacy When Accessing Healthcare

Date of Conferral

10-31-2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Carolyn King

Abstract

Low health literacy (HL) among low socioeconomic status (SES) African American adult patients is an ongoing health problem that has increased since the 1990s. Improving HL among low SES African American adults may improve their overall health and decrease the high rates of low HL. The high rates of low HL translate into billions of dollars in healthcare costs annually. Medicare and Medicaid absorb a significant amount of the cost, so improving HL among this population could decrease healthcare costs to the U.S. economy. The theoretical framework for this basic qualitative study was Pender’s health promotion model. Implementing strategies aligned with positive cognitive health-motivating behaviors could increase this marginalized population's HL levels. A semi structured, face-to-face interview design was used to explore the experiences of 10 low SES low HL African American adults when navigating the healthcare system.. The analysis of responses to the interview questions led to code and theme development, potentially leading to sustained interventions, influencing improved HL, and promoting positive health behaviors and outcomes. Two themes emerged from the results of this study. The first theme was doctors/healthcare providers lacked the communication skills to help low SES African American adults improve health outcomes. The second theme was doctors'/healthcare providers' deficient interactions with low SES African American adults sustained low HL. Positive social change may be realized for this marginalized group nationwide by developing effective interventions to increase HL levels.

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