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Communicating genetic and genomic information: health literacy and numeracy considerations.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lea, DH; Kaphingst, KA; Bowen, D; Lipkus, I; Hadley, DW
Published in: Public health genomics
January 2011

Genomic research is transforming our understanding of the role of genes in health and disease. These advances, and their application to common diseases that affect large segments of the general population, suggest that researchers and practitioners in public health genomics will increasingly be called upon to translate genomic information to individuals with varying levels of health literacy and numeracy. This paper discusses the current state of research regarding public understanding of genetics and genomics, the influence of health literacy and numeracy on genetic communication, and behavioral responses to genetic and genomic information. The existing research suggests that members of the general public have some familiarity with genetic and genomic terms but have gaps in understanding of underlying concepts. Findings from the limited research base to date indicate that health literacy affects understanding of print and oral communications about genetic and genomic information. Numeracy is also likely to be an important predictor of being able to understand and apply this information, although little research has been conducted in this area to date. In addition, although some research has examined behavior change in response to the receipt of information about genetic risk for familial disorders and genomic susceptibility to common, complex diseases, the effects of health literacy and numeracy on these responses have not been examined. Potential areas in which additional research is needed are identified and practical suggestions for presenting numeric risk information are outlined. Public health genomics researchers and practitioners are uniquely positioned to engage in research that explores how different audiences react to and use genomic risk information.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Public health genomics

DOI

EISSN

1662-8063

ISSN

1662-4246

Publication Date

January 2011

Volume

14

Issue

4-5

Start / End Page

279 / 289

Related Subject Headings

  • Public Health
  • Humans
  • Health Literacy
  • Genomics
  • Genetics & Heredity
  • 4206 Public health
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
  • 1004 Medical Biotechnology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Lea, D. H., Kaphingst, K. A., Bowen, D., Lipkus, I., & Hadley, D. W. (2011). Communicating genetic and genomic information: health literacy and numeracy considerations. Public Health Genomics, 14(4–5), 279–289. https://doi.org/10.1159/000294191
Lea, D. H., K. A. Kaphingst, D. Bowen, I. Lipkus, and D. W. Hadley. “Communicating genetic and genomic information: health literacy and numeracy considerations.Public Health Genomics 14, no. 4–5 (January 2011): 279–89. https://doi.org/10.1159/000294191.
Lea DH, Kaphingst KA, Bowen D, Lipkus I, Hadley DW. Communicating genetic and genomic information: health literacy and numeracy considerations. Public health genomics. 2011 Jan;14(4–5):279–89.
Lea, D. H., et al. “Communicating genetic and genomic information: health literacy and numeracy considerations.Public Health Genomics, vol. 14, no. 4–5, Jan. 2011, pp. 279–89. Epmc, doi:10.1159/000294191.
Lea DH, Kaphingst KA, Bowen D, Lipkus I, Hadley DW. Communicating genetic and genomic information: health literacy and numeracy considerations. Public health genomics. 2011 Jan;14(4–5):279–289.
Journal cover image

Published In

Public health genomics

DOI

EISSN

1662-8063

ISSN

1662-4246

Publication Date

January 2011

Volume

14

Issue

4-5

Start / End Page

279 / 289

Related Subject Headings

  • Public Health
  • Humans
  • Health Literacy
  • Genomics
  • Genetics & Heredity
  • 4206 Public health
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1117 Public Health and Health Services
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
  • 1004 Medical Biotechnology