Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112058

Berta M. Geller, EdD, Office of Health Promotion Research, University of Vermont, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, VT 05401-3444, 802-656-4115, berta.geller@uvm.edu

Although colorectal cancer screening is an effective primary and secondary cancer control strategy, people with low literacy are less likely to participate than those with adequate literacy skills. Colorectal cancer screening is more complicated than other cancer screen tests. All colorectal cancer screening tests generally require a visit to the doctor's office and then there is a choice of tests, all with difficult names. Adding to the confusion is that some of the tests are for screening only and others are used for screening and diagnosis. Once a test is decided upon there are complicated instructions to follow no matter which test is prescribed. Similar to mammography, these tests are aimed at older people so that in addition to addressing specific requirements of the low literacy population one may also want to develop interventions that keep in mind the needs of the elderly. In addition to many of the known barriers to colorectal cancer screening people with low literacy skills often have difficulty in saying and remembering the names of the tests and the instructions for taking the tests. The principles of health literacy are applied to the development of interventions in the healthcare setting to overcome many of the identified barriers for this population. This includes: the ability to identify patients with literacy issues; the use of technologies and communication techniques that enhance understanding; how to provide information in small steps and simple language and; the creation of an environment that allows patients to feel comfortable asking questions.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Identify barriers to colorectal cancer screening for the low literate population
• Describe health literacy principles
• Understand how to apply health literacy principles to the development of interventions aimed at increasing colorectal cancer screening

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Health Literacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation