Abstract
Purpose :
To compare the proportion of those reporting difficulty accessing or understanding health information between those with and without vision impairment (VI) using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). To describe population characteristics associated with those reporting VI and health literacy challenges.
Methods :
Data were extracted from the 2016 BRFSS for the 17 states that administered the optional Health Literacy Module. Self-report of difficulty seeing with best correction was used for the VI case definition. Three questions addressing difficulty getting necessary health or medical information, difficulty understanding information from health professionals, and difficulty understanding written health information were used to assess health literacy. Data were further stratified by demographic characteristics to identify disparities in vision impairment and health literacy.
Results :
Overall, the VI cohort more frequently reports that it is very difficult to get health information, understand information from health professionals, and understand written health information, when compared to those not reporting VI (chi square, p <0.001 for each comparison). The VI cohort was less likely to look for health information and less likely to pay attention to written health information (chi square, p <0.001 for each comparison). Within the three health literacy questions, there were differences across racial/ethnic groups, but no differences based on gender when adjusted for multiple comparisons. Those with VI and annual household incomes below $35,000 were more likely to report health literacy difficulty than those above $35,000 (chi-square, p <0.001 for each question) and those in the VI cohort that did not graduate high school reported more difficulty than those graduating high school or attending college/technical/graduate school (chi square, p <0.001 for each question).
Conclusions :
National health surveillance data provide unique insight into the prevalence of VI and health determinants, including health literacy. People with VI report greater health literacy challenges with multiple demographic factors associated with reduced health literacy. These findings can help guide health literacy interventions which are important in a population that also experiences greater rates of comorbid chronic conditions.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.