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Links Between Reading Ability and Health

Paul P. Lee, MD, JD

Arch Ophthalmol. 1999;117:100-103.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

INTRODUCTION

The ability to understand verbal and written materials is central to modern life. Yet, the US Department of Education estimated that 47% of all adult Americans in 1993 had poor reading and comprehension skills.¹ Analyses of the readability of patient education materials, discharge instructions, and consent forms throughout many specialties within medicine have found almost uniformly that these materials are written at too complex a level for many or most patients.^2-10 For example, a study of the patient ophthalmic education materials of the American Academy of Ophthalmology by Ebrahimzadeh et al² found large amounts of the material exceeded the reading abilities of much of the American adult population. Yet, this is only one small part of understanding the effects of literacy and reading abilities on our patient's health and their use of our increasingly complex health care system.

DEFINING LITERACY AND READING ABILITY

The United Nations' definition of literacy requires . . . [Full Text of this Article]

HOW DO WE MEASURE LITERACY AND READING ABILITIES?

WHY READING ABILITY AND LITERACY MATTER

WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?

From the Department of Ophthalmology, Duke Eye Center, Durham, NC. The author has no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products described in this article.

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