Graduate Research Papers

Availability

Open Access Graduate Research Paper

Abstract

Limited health literacy is a significant problem in the United States. It carries with it a high price tag of unnecessary medical expenditures, decreased quantity and quality of life for affected individuals, and frustration for both medical personnel and patients. Although most research has focused on print related health literacy, a significant part of the information exchanged in a medical encounter is verbal. It is well documented that persons in lower socioeconomic groups have poorer health. As some studies have found a link between socioeconomic status (SES), oral communication styles, and health care, the verbal exchange between health provider and patient may contribute to limited health literacy.

This paper contains a review of the current literature regarding the effects of limited health literacy and socioeconomic status on health status and management. It also investigates differences in communication styles between the middle class medical community and those in generational poverty. Oral communication differences do impact health care. It is hypothesized that differences in oral communication styles between people of generational poverty and the medical community negatively impact the quality of information exchange between them.

Year of Submission

2010

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services

First Advisor

Susan Roberts-Dobie

Comments

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Date Original

2010

Object Description

1 PDF file (69 pages)

Language

en

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