Exploring the associations between health literacy and socioeconomic status

Abstract

Education is a common factor in establishing one’s knowledge, which typically corresponds to one’s income since it depends on the profession of the individual on whether one maintains high or low income. Typically having a high paid occupation depends on the individual’s educational attainment level. Therefore, in the current study the level of education is taken into consideration so as to perceive whether it is affordable for individuals to benefit from health mechanisms such as prevention and medicine for health conditions and living a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of the observational quantitative study is to explore the relation between health literacy (which leads to health disparities) and the socioeconomic status. The main objectives of the study are to identify whether one’s socioeconomic status in Malta impacts on the prevention of the following health conditions; cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Furthermore, the study aims to evaluate on whether education, knowledge and income influence people’s decisions in making; regular medical appointments for check-ups, blood tests and the effectiveness of managing to live a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the research itself aims to test a number of hypotheses namely:  Participants from low socio-economic status are less likely to afford prevention mechanisms and living a healthy lifestyle.  Participants from low socio-economic status are not aware of health mechanisms and measures to prevent health conditions. The research instrument used in this study is a survey questionnaire which was distributed on an online social networking group. The results that emerged from this study did prove the fact that individuals from high socioeconomic status are more likely to afford health mechanisms than individuals from low socioeconomic status. Also, individuals from low socioeconomic status are less likely to understand and interpret test results. Furthermore, difference in gender and age did emerge in questions related to health conditions and in questions related to blood tests taken throughout the year.