Health literacy and medication adherence are key factors in managing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, especially within Nigerian and African American populations. Recent studies have highlighted the significant benefits of these elements in improving patient care and health outcomes.
Research has shown that individuals with higher health literacy are more likely to adhere to their medication regimens, which leads to better disease management. A 2016 study found a positive correlation (0.141) between health literacy and adherence, particularly for non-medication regimens and patients with cardiovascular disease. The study also revealed that health literacy interventions were effective in improving both health literacy and adherence outcomes.
In a 2023 published research done by Dr. Michael Butzner, Dr. Christiana Oyekanmi, Dr. Cuffee and others from the highly esteem University of Delaware Public Health Department, medication adherence plays a crucial role in the management of chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, where following prescribed treatment regimens significantly impacts health outcomes. However, nonadherence to medical guidelines has become a growing concern, particularly within minority communities, where disparities in healthcare access and understanding are prevalent.
Among Black individuals, for instance, medication adherence is notably lower, contributing to higher rates of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. These populations often face systemic barriers such as limited health literacy, which impacts their ability to understand and follow medical advice. Studies have shown that Black individuals with diabetes and cardiovascular conditions are less likely to adhere to treatment plans, leading to poorer health outcomes and a higher incidence of complications.
In diabetes care, medication adherence is essential for preventing complications and improving long-term health. A large cohort study showed that poor medication adherence in the first two years after a diabetes diagnosis increased the risk of long-term all-cause mortality by 45% and the incidence of cardiovascular disease by 41%. These findings highlight the importance of early intervention and education to improve medication adherence among newly diagnosed diabetic patients. With better adherence, the risk of severe complications can be minimized, leading to improved long-term outcomes for individuals with diabetes.
The role of health literacy goes beyond medication adherence—it extends to overall disease management. Patients with sufficient health literacy are better able to understand their condition, make informed decisions about their care, and effectively communicate with healthcare providers. This is particularly significant for Nigerian and African American populations, who often face additional barriers to healthcare access and understanding.
Enhancing health literacy within these communities can reduce healthcare disparities, ultimately improving health outcomes and fostering better management of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
According to the research done by some esteem health scientist, Dr. Michael Butzner, Dr. Christiana Oyekanmi, Dr. Cuffee and others, they discovered that health literacy is the ability to access, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions about one’s health, and its importance cannot be overstated. Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black Americans, are disproportionately affected by low health literacy, with nearly 24% of Black individuals reporting below-basic literacy skills compared to only 9% of White individuals.
This disparity creates significant barriers to managing chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Individuals with low health literacy are often less knowledgeable about disease management, struggle with adopting healthy behaviors, and are less likely to utilize preventive healthcare services. Addressing this issue requires tailored public health campaigns and interventions to improve health literacy, ultimately leading to better medication adherence and more effective disease management in minority populations.
Interventions designed to improve health literacy have demonstrated encouraging results in improving both medication adherence and overall health outcomes. A 2012 study found that patients with low health literacy who received tailored education and support from a pharmacist had significantly higher medication adherence rates than those receiving standard care.
This suggests that targeted strategies to improve health literacy can lead to better adherence, ultimately contributing to more effective management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, particularly in underserved populations like Nigerians and African Americans.
By focusing on improving health literacy, we can equip Nigerian and African American populations with the tools they need to take control of their health. This approach not only improves medication adherence but also empowers individuals to better manage chronic diseases and reduce long-term health risks. Through educational interventions and community support, we can enhance health outcomes and reduce disparities in healthcare access and treatment effectiveness.
Victor Aghanatobi,
Abuja
