Health literacy has been widely recognized as a key factor influencing health outcomes across populations. This study sought to assess health literacy levels by examining individuals’ abilities to obtain, interpret, evaluate, and use health information, and to determine how these competencies are associated with self-perceived health status among adults in Delaware. Participants were recruited from 60 faith-based institutions across Delaware that were intentionally selected due to their service to predominantly minority communities. The sample size was calculated to account for the clustered nature of the study design using a Mixed Methods approach. In total, 1,095 individuals completed a structured questionnaire that included the 16-item short form of the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-Q16). Statistical analyses included summary measures, internal consistency testing, chi-square analyses, and ordinal logistic regression.
Findings indicated that nearly half of the respondents exhibited limited health literacy, with roughly equal proportions classified as having inadequate or problematic levels. Limitations in health literacy were evident across all assessed domains, including healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion. Health literacy was significantly associated with self-rated health, as individuals with inadequate health literacy were substantially less likely to report better health than those with adequate literacy skills, with odds reduced by approximately 64%. The findings underscore the central role of health literacy in shaping individuals’ health perceptions and outcomes. The widespread challenges reported in navigating, interpreting, and applying health information across multiple health domains suggest an urgent need for coordinated, statewide strategies to strengthen health literacy in Delaware.
