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Association between literacy and self-rated poor health in 33 high- and upper middle-income countries

Author

Listed:
  • Sujay Kakarmath

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

  • Vanessa Denis

    (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

  • Marta Encinas-Martin

    (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

  • Francesca Borgonovi

    (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)

  • S. V. Subramanian

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

Abstract

Objectives To assess the relationship between general literacy proficiency and self-rated poor health by analyzing data from the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, an international survey conducted from 2011 to 2015 in 33 high- and upper middle-income countries and national sub-regions. Methods Logistic regression was used to model general literacy proficiency as a predictor of self-rated poor health. Results Data from 167,062 adults aged 25–65 years were analyzed. The mean overall prevalence of self-rated poor health was 24%. The odds ratio of self-rated poor health for those in the lowest level of general literacy proficiency compared to those in the highest level was 2.5 (95% CI 2.2–3.0) in the unadjusted model, and 1.9 (95% CI 1.6–2.2) in the adjusted model. This association was robust over time and across countries. General literacy proficiency attenuated 22% of the effect of self-education on self-rated poor health, in addition to a substantial independent effect of its own. Conclusions Our study provides robust and generalizable evidence that general literacy proficiency is independently associated with self-rated poor health. These results offer a potential modifiable target for policy interventions to reduce educational inequities in health.

Suggested Citation

  • Sujay Kakarmath & Vanessa Denis & Marta Encinas-Martin & Francesca Borgonovi & S. V. Subramanian, 2018. "Association between literacy and self-rated poor health in 33 high- and upper middle-income countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(2), pages 213-222, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:63:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s00038-017-1037-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-1037-7
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    1. Jacobs, Babs & van der Velden, Rolf, 2021. "Exploring the uncharted waters of educational mobility: The role of key skills," Research Memorandum 016, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).

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