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International Journal of Public Health

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01-05-2019 | Original article

The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis

Authors: René Rüegg, Thomas Abel

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

Objectives

Previous studies indicate substantial correlations between low health literacy and poor health outcomes. However, empirical findings remain inconsistent and are theoretically challenging. In this study, we conceptually place health literacy within an established model of health inequality. Studying multiple pathways, we estimate the associations between health literacy and six health outcomes and decompose these associations with health literacy’s covariates.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from the Young Adult Survey Switzerland was used for the analyses (n = 5959, age = 18–25). Logistic regression and KHB decomposition analyses were applied to estimate health literacy’s coefficients and confounding percentages.

Results

Eleven covariates were associated with health literacy (p < 0.001). Ten covariates reduced the naïve health literacy coefficient when included in the regression models (confounding percentages: 36.7–86.9%). In three out of six models, the confounding effects led to non-significant health literacy coefficients.

Conclusions

We found that health literacy’s associations with health outcomes are confounded by socioeconomic, material, psychosocial, and health-related factors. More investigations on the causal importance of health literacy, respectively, on its potential to health promotion are required.

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Title: The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis
Authors: René Rüegg
Thomas Abel
Publication date: 01-05-2019
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01236-x

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes among male young adults: exploring confounding effects using decomposition analysis

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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