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Article: Health illiteracy costs the nation billions, says study
- Article from:
- New Haven Register
- Article date:
- October 11, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2007 New Haven Register. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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Americans who cannot understand doctors' orders, instructions on
prescriptions, and other essential health knowledge, cost the U.S.
up to $238 billion every year, according to a University of
Connecticut study of "health illiteracy."
About 36 percent of U.S. adults have "basic" or "below basic"
health literacy skills. About 10 percent are considered proficient.
John A. Vernon, UConn health economist and lead author of the
study, said low health literacy costs the country between $106
billion and $238 billion.
This includes spending on emergency room visits, failure to
detect diseases early, unhealthy lifestyles, taking medicines
incorrectly, and misunderstanding health care workers.
The ...