Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population.
<h4>Objectives</h4>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, numer...
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doaj-d6ca6bdd10594526b11b55cf1108e1e62021-03-04T12:50:47ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032020-01-011511e024184410.1371/journal.pone.0241844Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population.Marie-Anne DurandRenata W YenJames O'MalleyGlyn ElwynJulien Mancini<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among people in the US on Medicaid, and of presumed lower education and SES.<h4>Results</h4>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 < .001). Mean comprehension scores were highest for the table format (1.91), closely followed by bar graph (1.85) and icon array (1.80). Information comprehension was aligned with preference scores.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Graph literacy in a Medicaid-eligible population was lower than previous estimates in the US. Tables were better understood, with icon arrays yielding the lowest score. Preferences aligned with comprehension.<h4>Practice implications</h4>It may be necessary to reconsider the use of graphic display formats when designing information for people with lower educational levels. Further research is needed.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241844 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Marie-Anne Durand Renata W Yen James O'Malley Glyn Elwyn Julien Mancini |
spellingShingle |
Marie-Anne Durand Renata W Yen James O'Malley Glyn Elwyn Julien Mancini Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population. PLoS ONE |
author_facet |
Marie-Anne Durand Renata W Yen James O'Malley Glyn Elwyn Julien Mancini |
author_sort |
Marie-Anne Durand |
title |
Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population. |
title_short |
Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population. |
title_full |
Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population. |
title_fullStr |
Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population. |
title_full_unstemmed |
Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population. |
title_sort |
graph literacy matters: examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a medicaid eligible population. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
series |
PLoS ONE |
issn |
1932-6203 |
publishDate |
2020-01-01 |
description |
<h4>Objectives</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among people in the US on Medicaid, and of presumed lower education and SES.<h4>Results</h4>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 < .001). Mean comprehension scores were highest for the table format (1.91), closely followed by bar graph (1.85) and icon array (1.80). Information comprehension was aligned with preference scores.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Graph literacy in a Medicaid-eligible population was lower than previous estimates in the US. Tables were better understood, with icon arrays yielding the lowest score. Preferences aligned with comprehension.<h4>Practice implications</h4>It may be necessary to reconsider the use of graphic display formats when designing information for people with lower educational levels. Further research is needed. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241844 |
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