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Health Literacy and Medication Adherence

Health Literacy and Medication Adherence

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Health Literacy and Medication Adherence

Health Literacy and Medication Adherence

Background

Medication adherence is crucial in managing chronic illnesses in the elderly. Medication

noncompliance has been related to poor health outcomes and higher healthcare expenses.

Knowledge about health and medication adherence, the ability to comprehend and apply this

information to make sound decisions, is a possible determinant of medication adherence in older

persons (Kim et al., 2019).

Research Question

The study's research question examined the link that relates health education competency and

medication adherence in the elderly.

Hypothesis

 Increasing physical activity in persons 65 and older with cardiovascular disease reduces

the chance of a heart attack or stroke.

 Providing primary care physicians with education and training on diagnosing and treating

mental health problems will result in earlier diagnosis and better management of these

diseases among patients.

 Routine colorectal cancer screening among those aged 50 and over will result in earlier

identification and treatment, leading to higher survival rates.

Methodology

The study used a systematic review and meta-analysis technique to investigate the link

that associates health literacy and medication adherence. From conception until August 2018, the

researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search of papers published in multiple

databases. The inclusion criteria were studies examining the links that relate health education and
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Health Literacy and Medication Adherence

medication competency in persons aged 60 and up. The researchers found 29 publications that

satisfied the inclusion criteria and incorporated them into the meta-analysis. The study's sample

size was 15,435 older individuals (Kim et al., 2019).

Findings

The findings of the meta-analysis revealed that older persons with low health literacy

were likelier than those with excellent health literacy to have poor medication

adherence. According to the meta-analysis, older persons with low medical literacy had a 33%

susceptibility to have poor medication adherence than those with appropriate health literacy. The

study also discovered that health literacy interventions, such as educational programs and

simplified drug instructions, might enhance medication adherence among older persons (Kim et

al., 2019).

Synopsis

The study explores the link that relates medication literacy and medication adherence

among the elderly. The researchers conducted a thorough literature review, identifying 29

publications that satisfied the inclusion criteria and including them in the meta-analysis.

According to the meta-analysis findings, older persons with low health literacy were likelier to

have poor medication adherence than those with excellent health literacy. The study also

discovered that health literacy interventions, such as educational programs and simplified drug

instructions, might enhance medication adherence among older persons. The study's findings

emphasize the need to address health literacy in older persons to enhance drug adherence and

health outcomes.
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Health Literacy and Medication Adherence

References

Kim, S. J., Martin, L. W., Kwon, S., Kim, S., & Han, H. R. (2019). The impact of health literacy

on medication adherence among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 10(6), 874–882. Impact of health literacy on medication

adherence in older people with chronic diseases - Collegian (collegianjournal.com) 

 Lee, Y.-M., Yu, H. Y., You, M.-A., & Son, Y.-J. (2017). Impact of health literacy on medication

adherence in older people with chronic diseases. Collegian (Royal College of Nursing,

Australia), 24(1), 11–18. Impact of health literacy on medication adherence in older

people with chronic diseases - American Public University System (exlibrisgroup.com)