Estimating the Economic Burden of Low Health Literacy in the Blacktown Community in Sydney, Australia: A Population-Based Study

Abstract

Evidence shows that inadequate or low health literacy (LHL) levels are significantly associated with economic ramifications at the individual, employer, and health care system levels. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the economic burden of LHL among a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community in Blacktown: a local government area (LGA) in Sydney, Australia. This study is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from publicly available datasets, including 2011 and 2016 census data and National Health Survey (NHS) data (2017–2018) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), and figures on Disease Expenditure in Australia for 2015–2016 provided by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). This study found that 20% of Blacktown residents reported low levels of active engagement with health care providers (Domain 6 of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ)), with 14% reporting a limited understanding of the health information required to take action towards improving health or making health care decisions (Domain 9 of the HLQ). The overall extra/delta cost (direct and indirect health care costs) associated with LHL in the Blacktown LGA was estimated to be between $11,785,528 and $15,432,239 in 2020. This is projected to increase to between $18,922,844 and $24,191,911 in 2030. Additionally, the extra disability-adjusted life year (DALY) value in 2020, for all chronic diseases and age-groups—comprising the extra costs incurred due to years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD)—was estimated at $414,231,335. The findings of our study may enable policymakers to have a deeper understanding of the economic burden of LHL in terms of its impact on the health care system and the production economy.

Comparative Prevalence of Cerebrovascular Disease in Vietnamese Communities in South-Western Sydney

“…CALD communities, both in Australia and globally, are at increased risk of health inequities and adverse health-related outcomes [2]. Contributing factors may include unfamiliarity with health services and incomplete understanding of health information [3,4]. Traditional methods of healthcare may also conflict with evidence-based recommendations for primary and secondary prevention [4,5].…”

Assessment of health literacy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relationship with health behaviours: a cross-sectional study

“…Insufficient health literacy can lead to adverse health outcomes such as an increased readmission rate, increased risk of death, poor self-care skills, poor medication adherence and low health-related quality of life 13–15. The additional medical costs of insufficient health literacy ranged from $11 785 528 to $15 432 239 in 2020 16. Furthermore, better health literacy is always associated with better health behaviours, better cognitive function, fewer depressive symptoms, fewer chronic diseases, better daily mobility and good physical condition 17 18…”

Cerebrovascular Disease Profiles of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities in South Western Sydney and New South Wales

“…CALD communities are at increased risk of health inequities and adverse health-related outcomes from cardiovascular and other chronic diseases [2]. Factors contributing to health inequity include unfamiliarity with health services, difficulties engaging with health professionals, and lack of culturally appropriate health information [3][4][5].…”