The costs of limited health literacy: a systematic review

Objectives: To summarize evidence about (1) the costs of limited health literacy (HL) and (2) the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve limited HL. Methods: We performed a systematic review searching electronic databases and additional information resources. We included observational studies and interventional studies with HL-outcomes. We included populations at high risk for low HL and patients with (1) diabetes mellitus or (2) hyperlipidemia. Results: We retrieved 2,340 papers and included 10 studies for analysis. The prevalence of limited HL is considerable (range 34-59%). On the health system level, the additional costs of limited HL range from 3 to 5% of the total health care cost per year. On the patient level, the additional expenditures per year per person with limited HL compared to persons with adequate HL range from US $143 to 7,798. Data on the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve limited HL are scarce. Conclusion: The costs of limited HL may be substantial, but few studies were retrieved and the results are heterogeneou

The costs of limited health literacy : a systematic review

Objectives: To summarize evidence about the costs of limited health literacy (HL) and the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve limited HL. Methods: We performed a systematic review searching electronic databases and additional information resources. We included observational studies and interventional studies with HL-outcomes. We included populations at high risk for low HL and patients with diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidemia. Results: We retrieved 2,340 papers and included 10 studies for analysis. The prevalence of limited HL is considerable (range 34-59%). On the health system level, the additional costs of limited HL range from 3 to 5% of the total health care cost per year. On the patient level, the additional expenditures per year per person with limited HL compared to persons with adequate HL range from US $143 to 7,798. Data on the cost-effectiveness of interventions to improve limited HL are scarce. Conclusion:The costs of limited HL may be substantial, but few studies were retrieved and the results are heterogeneous

Inpatient hospital costs of febrile neutropenia as a consequence of chemotherapy for breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Switzerland

Febrile neutropenia (FN) can be a serious complication of chemotherapy (CHT), increasing mortality risk and healthcare costs. Incidence and inpatient hospital costs of FN in Switzerland are currently not reported. The study aimed to: 1. Estimate the number of CHT induced FN-related hospitalizations. 2. Assess inpatient hospital costs per FN event in Switzerland

Preventive health risk appraisal for older people and impact on GPs' patient management: a prospective study

Background. Health risk appraisals (HRAs) are recommended for detection of potentially modifiable risk factors for health status decline of older people. Little is known how family physicians manage detected risk factors. Objective. We evaluated (i) if risk factors in one or more of five predefined domains were detected in a primary care-based HRA and (ii) how often these findings had an impact on the further management of patients. Methods. We performed a prospective observational study in a rural community in Austria and included persons (age ≥ 70 years) living at home. We applied the standardized assessment for elderly people in primary care (STEP) instrument and evaluated risk factors for status decline assessing five domains (cognitive function, depression, urinary incontinence, hearing impairment and mobility/falls). Results. Two hundred and sixty-four persons participated and the HRA revealed a wide range of risk factors for health status decline [from 4.5% (12/264) in the depression domain up to 31% (81/264) for mobility/falls and 41% (107/264) in the cognitive domain]. The findings had an impact on the further management in four domains: hearing impairment (100% of findings with impact), mobility/falls (93%), depression (83%) and urinary incontinence (65%). In contrast, abnormal cognitive findings lead to action only in every fifth participant (18%; 19/107). Conclusion. In contrast to other domains, family physicians are hesitant to act upon abnormal findings of cognitive testing. Additional knowledge is needed to clarify the value of abnormal cognitive findings for management of patients and support of their carer