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Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population

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  • Marie-Anne Durand
  • Renata W Yen
  • James O’Malley
  • Glyn Elwyn
  • Julien Mancini

Abstract

Objectives: Graphic display formats are often used to enhance health information. Yet limited attention has been paid to graph literacy in people of lower education and lower socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to: 1) examine the relationship between graph literacy, numeracy, health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics in a Medicaid-eligible population 2) determine the impact of graph literacy on comprehension and preference for different visual formats. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among people in the US on Medicaid, and of presumed lower education and SES. Results: The mean graph literacy score among 436 participants was 1.47 (SD 1.05, range: 0 to 4). Only graph literacy was significantly associated with overall comprehension (p

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  • Marie-Anne Durand & Renata W Yen & James O’Malley & Glyn Elwyn & Julien Mancini, 2020. "Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0241844
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241844
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Lyndal J. Trevena & Carissa Bonner & Yasmina Okan & Ellen Peters & Wolfgang Gaissmaier & Paul K. J. Han & Elissa Ozanne & Danielle Timmermans & Brian J. Zikmund-Fisher, 2021. "Current Challenges When Using Numbers in Patient Decision Aids: Advanced Concepts," Medical Decision Making, , vol. 41(7), pages 834-847, October.

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