Testing the utility of the newest vital sign (NVS) health literacy assessment tool in older African-American patients

AbstractObjectiveThe Newest Vital Sign© (NVS) was developed in the USA to measure patient health literacy in clinical settings. We adapted the NVS for use in Canada, in English and French, and created a computerized version. Our objective was to evaluate the reliability of the Canadian NVS as a self-administered computerized tool.DesignWe used a randomized crossover design with a washout period of 3–4 weeks to compare health literacy scores obtained using the computerized version with scores obtained using the standard interviewer-administered NVS. ANOVA models and McNemar’s tests assessed differences in outcomes assessed with each version of the NVS and order effects of the testing.SettingParticipants were recruited from multicultural catchment areas in Ontario and Nova Scotia.SubjectsEnglish- and French-speaking adults aged 18 years or older.ResultsA total of 180 (81 %) of the 222 adults (112 English/110 French) initially recruited completed both the interviewer-NVS and computer-NVS. Scores for those who completed both assessments ranged from 0 to 6 with a mean of 3·63 (sd 2·11) for the computerized NVS and 3·41 (sd 2·21) for the interview-administered NVS. Few (n 18; seven English, eleven French) participants’ health literacy assessments differed between the two versions.ConclusionsOverall, the computerized Canadian NVS performed as well as the interviewer-administered version for assessing health literacy levels of English- and French-speaking participants. This Canadian adaptation of the NVS provides Canadian researchers and public health practitioners with an easily administered health literacy assessment tool that can be used to address the needs of Canadians across health literacy levels and ultimately improve health outcomes.

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Self-Administered Assessment of Health Literacy in Adolescents Using the Newest Vital Sign

Health Promotion Practice ◽

10.1177/1524839916677729 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 119-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Lauren A. Linnebur ◽

Sunny A. Linnebur

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

School Attendance ◽

Sixth Graders ◽

Literacy Assessment ◽

Self Administration ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Literacy Scores

The “Newest Vital Sign” (NVS) is a validated health literacy assessment tool typically administered by clinicians. The objective of this study was to assess if the NVS could be self-administered in adolescents to measure health literacy. Sixth graders in a Colorado middle school were provided a self-administered survey containing the NVS, a section for parent permission, and a section for the student’s age, gender, grade, and previous elementary school. In all, 167 sixth graders returned usable surveys (45% return rate), and the average health literacy score was 3.75 ± 1.70. Almost two thirds (62.9%) of the students scored in the adequate health literacy range, while only 12.6% scored in the limited health literacy range. Health literacy scores were similar when evaluated based on gender. However, when students were grouped based on prior elementary school attendance, students who matriculated from one elementary school had an average NVS score significantly lower than two other elementary schools (p < .001 and p < .05). Self-administration of the NVS was successful and showed similar health literacy scores compared to other studies in adolescents. Using the NVS as a self-administered tool could greatly increase its function as a quick health literacy assessment for adolescents, both in clinical practice and in school-based health education.

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Assessing the Future Assessors: A Health Literacy Assessment Using the Newest Vital Sign

Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development ◽

10.5958/0976-5506.2019.02444.6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 308

Author(s):

Rathnakar P Urval ◽

Priyanka Kamath ◽

Medha Urval ◽

Kashvi Gupta ◽

Ashwin Kamath

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Literacy Assessment ◽

The Future ◽

Newest Vital Sign

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Are Health Literacy and Lifestyle of Undergraduates Related to the Educational Field? An Italian Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17186654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (18) ◽

pp. 6654

Author(s):

Francesca Gallè ◽

Patrizia Calella ◽

Christian Napoli ◽

Fabrizio Liguori ◽

Eduardo Alfonso Parisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Total Sample ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Literacy Assessment ◽

Healthy Behaviors ◽

Health And Illness ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Educational Field

Background: Health literacy (HL) is a fundamental ability to successfully deal with health and illness issues. This study aimed to assess HL among undergraduates from healthcare and non-healthcare degree courses of two Italian universities and the association between their HL, lifestyles, and BMI assumed as health outcome. Methods: The Health Literacy Assessment Tool (HLAT-8) and the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) were used to assess health literacy dimensions. Demographic and anthropometric data, adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity levels, and smoking habits were assessed in the enrolled sample to highlight possible associations. Results: A total sample of 806 undergraduates (46% males, mean age 21.01 ± 1.78 years) was recruited. Higher HL scores were found among healthcare rather than non-healthcare students (28.7 ± 4.5 vs. 26.7 ± 4.2 for HLAT-8 and 4.9 ± 1.5 vs. 3.9 ± 1.8 for NVS, p < 0.01). However, healthcare undergraduates were more likely to report unhealthy behaviors. Body Mass Index (BMI) was associated with literacy and numeracy skills only in non-healthcare undergraduates. Significant associations were found between HL scores and adherence to MD in both groups. In the regression analysis, educational field and MD were shown to be predictors of HL scores. Conclusions: Attending a healthcare related degree course was associated with higher HL scores but not with healthy behaviors. This issue should be addressed considering the role that healthcare professionals may have in educating patients towards a healthy lifestyle. Adherence to MD seems to be related to higher HL scores.

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Patients' Perceptions of Screening for Health Literacy: Reactions to the Newest Vital Sign

Journal of Health Communication ◽

10.1080/10810731003753117 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 402-412 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Jonathan B. VanGeest ◽

Verna L. Welch ◽

Saul J. Weiner

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Newest Vital Sign

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Letter to the Editor Re: “Limited Health Literacy in Portugal Assessed with the Newest Vital Sign” by Dagmara Paiva and Colleagues. Acta Med Port. 2017;30(12):861-869.

Acta Médica Portuguesa ◽

10.20344/amp.10292 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 182

Author(s):

Teresa M Salgado ◽

Fernando Fernandez-Llimos

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Limited Health Literacy ◽

Letter To The Editor ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Limited Health

N/A.

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Health Literacy: A Brief Primer for the Otolaryngologist

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599816683664 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 156 (3) ◽

pp. 395-396 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Uchechukwu C. Megwalu

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Decision Making ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Medical Care ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Health Care Environment ◽

Care Environment ◽

Newest Vital Sign

Health literacy has been shown to affect outcomes in a number of medical conditions. Despite the complexity of care that is often required among otolaryngology patients, the literature on health literacy in this field is sparse. Otolaryngologists need to be aware of issues related to health literacy due to the changing health care environment. The increased complexity of medical care, the greater involvement of patients in shared decision making, and the higher administrative burden on patients have increased their health literacy requirements. Assessing health literacy in clinical practice may help identify patients who might require additional help in navigating the health care system. The Brief Health Literacy Screen and the Newest Vital Sign are 2 measures that are easy to apply in clinical practice.

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Assessment of Health Literacy Levels: HLS-EU-PT versus METER

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa040.005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

J Luís ◽

C Rocha ◽

J Balteiro

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Critical Literacy ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Literacy Assessment ◽

Functional Literacy ◽

Literacy Survey ◽

European Health ◽

Definition Of

Abstract Introduction The definition of this concept and its domains, as well as its measurement, will allow to identify health inequalities. And therefore focus the focus of professional intervention to ensure equitable access to health. The health literacy assessment tool should be based on the defined literacy concept and address the domains of the underlying theory, considering public health behaviours and outcomes. According to the European Consortium for Health Literacy, three dimensions of literacy are distinguished: functional literacy, interactive literacy and critical literacy. Objectives To compare the health literacy levels obtained by applying two different measurement tools. Methodology To assess Health Literacy levels were applied two tests: HLS-EU-PT (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire - Portugal) and METER (Medical Term Recognition Test). The first, quite comprehensive and previously used at European level, of self-perception, and the second more objective. These validated instruments were applied in a pharmacy in the municipality of Mealhada, to 377 individuals resident there. Results HLS-EU-PT presents 40.8% of individuals with adequate literacy, while METER classifies 49.1% of the sample. There is a difference of 8.3% in the results. However, there is a statistically significant relationship between them (p = 0.001). METER is limited to the assessment of functional literacy levels. Too narrow a perspective for a concept as broad as health literacy. In this context, when measuring literacy is based on word recognition, limited levels of health literacy are found in 50.9% of individuals. Conclusion Statistically, the two tests used present a significant correlation. Although METER misclassifies some individuals with adequate literacy who actually have inadequate literacy, this happens more often when the scores obtained are reduced. When the score on one test is high, on the other test, it also happens.

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Assessment of literacy and numeracy skills related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug labels

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/2050312119834119 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 205031211983411 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Soo Min Jang ◽

Ruixin Jiang ◽

Darren Grabe ◽

Amy Barton Pai

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Vital Sign ◽

Over The Counter ◽

Inflammatory Drug ◽

Scale Range ◽

Inflammatory Drugs ◽

Newest Vital Sign ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Medication Label

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used and have a potential for over-the-counter misuse. Limited health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes. Identification of new strategies to assess literacy and numeracy could be useful in targeting effective education initiatives. Objective: To characterize numeracy and literacy skills related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug labels in primary care patients. Methods: Patients were recruited and consented over an 8-month period after their regular primary care visit. Demographic information was collected and two instruments were administered to assess literacy and numeracy skills: (1) a medication label literacy instrument focused on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (MedLit-NSAID) and (2) a general healthy literacy-screening tool, the Newest Vital Sign. Two questions on the MedLit-NSAID instrument evaluated understanding of the Food and Drug Administration medication guide for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter label. Results: A total of 145 patients were enrolled. Mean MedLit-NSAID and Newest Vital Sign scores were 6.8 (scale range 0–8) and 4.2 (scale range 0–6), respectively. Higher education level was associated with higher scores for both tools (p ⩽ 0.05). Total MedLit-NSAID scores on average were higher in females compared with males (6.5 vs 6, p = 0.05). Patients with decreased kidney function (n = 18) had significantly lower MedLit-NSAID scores (p ⩽ 0.05). Test–retest scores were not significantly different for MedLit-NSAID (p = 0.32). The correlation between the tools was 0.54 and internal consistency MedLit-NSAID was 0.61. Conclusion: A medication information focused instrument provided specific information to assess health literacy related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug labels. This information could be utilized to develop patient education initiatives for medication label comprehension.

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