Abstract P110: Examining Health Literacy And Medication Adherence Among African Americans With Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: It is estimated that almost 40% of American adults have limited health literacy. Adults with limited health literacy report being less knowledgeable about disease management, healthy behaviors, and they are less likely to utilize preventive services. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected by limited health literacy. The objective of this study was to assess health literacy level and medication adherence among African Americans with hypertension receiving health care through Medicaid. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that lower health literacy may be associated with lower hypertensive medication adherence among African Americans. Moreover, we predict that African American men may have lower levels of health literacy and medication adherence in comparison to African American women. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study. The participants were African American adults, recipients of Medicaid with hypertension living in Delaware. Data were obtained from Medicaid and secondary data sources. Variables included demographic characteristics, medication adherence, health literacy, and cardiovascular disease health outcomes. Adherence was based on the days of prescription refill controlling for the number of days eligible. Health literacy was obtained from the Health Literacy Data Map from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Results: Within our sample, the mean health literacy score for those without hypertension, normotensive was slightly higher than those with hypertension. (Normotensive: 234.9 vs Hypertension: 233.7, p= .0001). Women were more likely to adhere to their medication than men (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75-0.92, p<=.001) Study participants reporting having a basic level of health literacy reported lower medication adherence than those with an intermediate level of health literacy (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.64-0.81, p=<0.001). Conclusion: Within our sample of African Americans with hypertension receiving health care through Medicare, lower health literacy was associated with lower adherence to medication. Our study highlights the necessity of providing literacy assistance and health education to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle change such as medication adherence.