Adult Education and the Health Literacy of Hispanic Immigrants in the United States |
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| Authors: | Francisco Soto Mas Holly E Jacobson Arturo Olivárez |
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| Institution: | 1. College of Population Health, University of New Mexico;2. Department of Linguistics, University of New Mexico;3. Department of Teacher Education, University of Texas at El Paso |
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| Abstract: | Discussion on the advantages of integrating health literacy into adult education has primarily been theoretical and conceptual. There is a need for studies that assess the impact of adult education on health literacy. This study implemented a quasi-experimental design to explore whether basic adult instruction may constitute a venue for improving health literacy among Spanish-speaking immigrants. Participants included adults in a High School Equivalency program in a US-Mexico border community who received either a standard GED curriculum or a GED curriculum enhanced with health literacy content. The Short Spanish TOFHLA was used to measure health literacy. While S-TOFHLA scores and health literacy levels improved in all participants, no statistically significant differences were observed across groups. Results are consistent with recommendations supporting adult education as a strategy for improving health literacy. |
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| Keywords: | Adult education Latino immigrants Spanish speakers High School Equivalency border community |
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