Numeracy and Preventive Health Care Service Utilization among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the U.S.

CONCLUSIONS: Middle-aged and older adults with sufficient numeracy skills are more likely to have had a dental check up in the past 12 months. Findings suggest that numeracy may be more relevant for long-term vs. short-term risk assessment in determining preventive health care service utilization. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Two-level numeracy categories are recommended in preventive health contexts. Numeracy proficiency-sensitive risk communication by health care providers and education programs may enhance awareness of preventive health care and promote the utilization of specific preventive health service utilization among older adults. PMID: 29733753 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Gerontologist - Category: Geriatrics Tags: Clin Gerontol Source Type: research