Poor health knowledge tied to more deaths in those with heart failure. A visit to the doctor can bring with it a tidal wave of new information. Most people absorb some of the explanations and advice they receive, but a lot is also lost in translation. A new study has found that this communication breakdown can have serious health consequences. “Researchers followed 1,379 patients who were hospitalized for acute heart failure and completed a brief health literacy screen at hospital admission between 2010 and 2013. Nurses asked patients three questions: whether they have problems learning about their medical condition, their confidence filling out medical forms, and how often they have someone help them read hospital materials. After accounting for other possible explanations, the researchers found that those with low health literacy were over 30 percent more likely to die than those who scored higher based on their self-reports.” While the study can’t draw causation from the data, the researchers point out that low health literacy can make knowing how and when to take medications challenging and can lead a sick person to unintentionally make bad decisions about how to handle their illness. “Patients should talk with their healthcare providers until they have a good understanding of how to take their medications and manage their disease.”

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