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01-05-2020 | Original Paper

Examining Health Literacy Levels in Homeless Persons and Vulnerably Housed Persons with Mental Health Disorders

Authors: Susan J. Farrell, Michael Dunn, James Huff, Psychiatric Outreach Team, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 4/2020

Abstract

Health care use is high in persons who are homeless and vulnerably housed, but their health literacy (ability to read and understand health information) is often not known. The purpose of this study was to determine health literacy rates in a Canadian population of homeless and vulnerably housed individuals with mental health disorders. Higher levels of health literacy were associated with being housed, higher levels of education, non-psychotic mental health diagnoses and lower levels of drug use. This suggests that health literacy may be a potential barrier for accessing and utilizing health services and information for vulnerable populations.

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Title: Examining Health Literacy Levels in Homeless Persons and Vulnerably Housed Persons with Mental Health Disorders
Authors: Susan J. Farrell
Michael Dunn
James Huff
Psychiatric Outreach Team
Royal Ottawa Health Care Group
Publication date: 01-05-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00525-2

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Examining Health Literacy Levels in Homeless Persons and Vulnerably Housed Persons with Mental Health Disorders

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