Prepared for:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

540 Gaither Road

Rockville, MD 20850

www.ahrq.gov

Contract No. 290-02-0016

Prepared by:

RTI International-University of North Carolina Evidence-Based Practice Center

Research Triangle Park, NC

Investigators

Nancy D. Berkman, PhD

Darren A. DeWalt, MD

Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH

Stacey L. Sheridan, MD, MPH

Kathleen N. Lohr, PhD

Linda Lux, MPA

Sonya F. Sutton, BSPH

Tammeka Swinson, BA

Arthur J. Bonito, PhD

AHRQ Publication No. 04-E007-2

January 2004

ISBN: 1-58763-142-3

ISSN: 1530-4396

This document is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission except those copyrighted materials noted for which further reproduction is prohibited without the specific permission of copyright holders.

This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or a basis for reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.

AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting research designed to improve the quality of health care, reduce its cost, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ sponsors and conducts research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakerspatients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakersmake mor informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services.

Suggested Citation:

Berkman ND, DeWalt DA, Pignone MP, Sheridan SL, Lohr KN, Lux L, Sutton SF, Swinson T, Bonito AJ. Literacy and Health Outcomes. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 87 (Prepared by RTI International-University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0016). AHRQ Publication No. 04-E007-2. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. January 2004.