Award Date

December 2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Environmental and Occupational Health

First Committee Member

Melva Thompson-Robinson

Second Committee Member

Soumya Upadhyay

Third Committee Member

Maxim Gakh

Fourth Committee Member

Anne Weisman

Number of Pages

103

Abstract

Racial/ethnic communities bear a disproportionate burden when examining cancer mortality and infection-related cancer incidence rates. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), health literacy and clear communication between professionals and patients are crucial to improving health and the quality of healthcare. This study examined the relationship between personal health literacy and perceived patient-centered communication quality (PPCQ). A secondary data analysis was conducted using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, Cycle 4 (2020), and STATA/BE 17.0 for Windows. The sample included respondents who have a history of cancer and have seen a healthcare provider within the past 12 months (n=579). Descriptive statistics described how health literacy and perceived PPCQ vary among different racial/ethnic groups. Most respondents self-identified as Non-Hispanic White (78.6%), male (58.3%), aged 50+ (M=67, SD=13), earned $50,000 or less annually (53.9%), and had health insurance (98.8%). This study found no statistically significant differences between racial/ethnic groups concerning health literacy. Black respondents had the highest mean PPCQ score (M=25.8, SD=3). Out of the three health literacy constructs (find, understand, and use), a multiple regression determined that the skills to find and understand information to inform health-related decisions and actions are significant predictors of PPCQ. It is incumbent upon healthcare/public health organizations and policymakers to implement system-level changes to ensure accurate, credible health information is easily accessible, distinguishable, and understandable to foster trust and self-confidence, thereby empowering individuals to improve patient-provider engagement and increase the likelihood of positive health outcomes.

Keywords

Cancer; Health Literacy; Patient-Centered Care; Patient-Centered Communication; Patient-Provider Communication

Disciplines

Health and Medical Administration | Public Health | Science and Mathematics Education

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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