Factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults: A systematic review

Objectives: To identify factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted, employing the descriptors "Aged" and "Health Literacy".

Prospero - crd: 42022350140.

Results: Out of 23,500 articles screened, 176 were selected. Several factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults were identified, such as sociodemographic (e.g., advanced age, low educational level, non-white population, and others), social (e.g., poor family/social support, loneliness, social isolation, few social activities, and others), economic (e.g., lower income and/or lower socioeconomic status) and health aspects (e.g., poor health, chronic conditions, mental health challenges, hospitalizations, frailty, physical inactivity, cognitive impairment, and others).

Conclusions: The factors associated with poor health literacy in older adults identified in this review could contribute to future research, support interventions to improve health literacy, and assist professionals in planning educational activities and public policies.