Health Literacy of American Adults

Results from the Health Literacy component of the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) were just released. The health literacy findings are based on the first large-scale national assessment designed specifically to measure the health literacy of adults living in America.

This report measures health literacy among American adults including their ability to read, understand, and apply health-related information in English.

Findings include:

• The majority of American adults (53 percent) had Intermediate health literacy. Fewer than 15 percent of adults had either Below Basic or Proficient health literacy.
• Women had higher average health literacy than men.
• Adults who were ages 65 and older had lower average health literacy than younger adults.
• Hispanic adults had lower average health literacy than adults in any other racial/ethnic group.

To download, view and print the publication as a PDF file, please visit:
http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006483