UPMC Children’s Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Team Publishes New Review on Health Literacy and Asthma in Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
January 19, 2024
The UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine and the Celedón Laboratory has a long-standing research interest examining the effects of health literacy on pediatric asthma outcomes.
The lab’s most recent published work in this line of investigation is a new review article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology titled “Health Literacy and Asthma: An Update,” which is currently in press.
Yueh-Ying Han, PhD, MS, is the first author of the review. She is joined on the paper by division fellow Amanda Gutwein, MD, MPH, and division chief Juan C. Celedón, MD, DrPH, ATSF, FAAAI. Also co-authoring the review is Andrea J. Apter, MD, MA, MSC, from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Review Synopsis
In their new review paper, Dr. Han and colleagues explore the intersection of health literacy and asthma management, and how low health literacy, a prevalent issue in various populations, can significantly impact asthma outcomes for pediatric and adult patients.
Low health literacy affects approximately 35% of the U.S. adult population with disproportionate effects showing up along racial and ethnicity lines, as well as in economically disadvantaged populations.
The paper reviews recent studies, providing insights into the direct and indirect consequences of limited health literacy on asthma care, including medication adherence and lifestyle choices.
Dr. Han and colleagues review also emphasizes the role of social determinants of health and propose a multilayered approach to tackle these challenges, aiming to enhance health literacy and improve asthma management strategies.
References and Further Reading
Read the complete review using the following link: Han YY, Gutwein A, Apter A, Celedón JC. Health Literacy and Asthma: An Update: J Allerg Clin Immunol. December 20, 2023. Article in press.
Earlier in 2023, Dr. Celedón and colleagues published a study on parental numeracy skills its effect on a child’s asthma symptoms and severity. Read an article about that paper on UPMCPhysicianResources.com.
