Relationship of Functional Health Literacy to Patients' Knowledge of Their Chronic Disease

Abstract

CHRONIC DISEASES such as hypertension and diabetes require patient education to achieve adequate control and prevent adverse health outcomes. Patients with hypertension may need to understand how to properly take multiple medications and modify their lifestyle (eg, low salt diet, weight loss, or exercise) to achieve adequate blood pressure control.¹ The intricacies of the diabetic diet, insulin injection, and home glucose level monitoring place even greater educational requirements on patients.^2,3 Patient education also plays a critical role in facilitating patients' acceptance of their diagnosis and understanding behavioral changes required for active participation in treatment.⁴