Health Literacy, Health Numeracy, and Cognitive Functioning Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Authors

Leah Hecht, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Samantha Cain, Henry Ford Health
Shannon M. Clark-Sienkiewicz, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Kellie Martens, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Aaron Hamann, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Arthur M. Carlin, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Lisa R. Miller-Matero, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Hecht L, Cain S, Clark-Sienkiewicz SM, Martens K, Hamann A, Carlin AM, and Miller-Matero LR. Health Literacy, Health Numeracy, and Cognitive Functioning Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates. Obes Surg 2019.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-23-2019

Publication Title

Obesity surgery

Abstract

Inadequate health literacy or numeracy and probable cognitive impairment influence patients' medical outcomes. The study purpose was to examine the prevalence of inadequate health literacy, inadequate health numeracy, and probable cognitive impairment among bariatric surgery candidates and examine associations with undergoing bariatric surgery. Patients (N = 314) completed measures assessing these constructs during a required pre-surgical psychological evaluation. Approximately 9.6%, 24.2%, and 29.5% of the sample had inadequate health literacy, inadequate health numeracy, and probable cognitive impairment, respectively. In univariate analyses, those with inadequate levels of health literacy, inadequate health numeracy, and probable cognitive impairment were less likely to undergo surgery. In a multivariate model, inadequate health literacy independently predicted a lower likelihood of undergoing bariatric surgery. Findings underscore the importance of assessing these factors.

PubMed ID

31444773

ePublication

ePub ahead of print