ArticlePloS one2020
Graph literacy matters: Examining the association between graph literacy, health literacy, and numeracy in a Medicaid eligible population.
Article in PloS one, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 20 papers.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
20 citing papers in PubMed.
- Effects of a Short Mobile Intervention on Digital Health Literacy in Adolescents and Teachers: Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Trial
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- User Testing of the NCI's ASA24 Respondent Nutrition Report for Total Nutrient Intake From Foods, Beverages, and Dietary Supplements: A Qualitative Study.Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics · 2026Article
- A personalized tutorial to improve understanding of individual chemical results and opportunities for reducing exposure.Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology · 2026Article
- A mixed methods study on patients' and healthcare professionals' understanding of the graphical presentation of patient-reported outcome data at an inpatient unit for psychosomatic medicine.Journal of patient-reported outcomes · 2026Article
- Debunking misleading graphs effectively: How vocationally educated young adults perceive graphs.PloS one · 2026Article
- Assessment of graph literacy among German medical students- an observational cross-sectional survey study.BMC medical education · 2025Observational
- Article
- Continuous adaptation of conversation aids for uterine fibroids treatment options in a four-year multi-center implementation project.BMC medical informatics and decision making · 2024Article
- Medicaid Insurance is Associated With Decreased MRI Use for Ankle Sprains Compared With Private Insurance: A Retrospective Large-database Analysis.Clinical orthopaedics and related research · 2024Article
- Assessing Risk Literacy Skills: Enhancing Healthcare Management among University Students.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Telehealth for Chronic Disease Management Among Vulnerable Populations.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2024Article
- Participant-guided development of bilingual genomic educational infographics for Electronic Medical Records and Genomics Phase IV study.Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA · 2024Article
- Article
- Breast cancer treatment receipt and the role of financial stress, health literacy, and numeracy among diverse breast cancer survivors.Breast cancer research and treatment · 2023Article
- Evaluation of an air quality warning system for vulnerable and susceptible individuals in Korea: an interrupted time series analysis.Epidemiology and health · 2023Article
- Comprehension, utility, and preferences of prostate cancer survivors for visual timelines of patient-reported outcomes co-designed for limited graph literacy: meters and emojis over comics.Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA · 2022Article
- Article
- Differences in Data Trustworthiness and Risk Perception between Bar Graphs and Pictograms.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Returning Cardiac Rhythm Data to Patients: Opportunities and Challenges.Cardiac electrophysiology clinics · 2021Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesGraphic display formats are often used to enhance health information. Yet limited attention has been paid to graph literacy in people of lower education and lower socioeconomic status (SES). This study aimed to: 1) examine the relationship between graph literacy, numeracy, health literacy and sociodemographic characteristics in a Medicaid-eligible population 2) determine the impact of graph literacy on comprehension and preference for different visual formats.
methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional online survey among people in the US on Medicaid, and of presumed lower education and SES.
resultsThe mean graph literacy score among 436 participants was 1.47 (SD 1.05, range: 0 to 4). Only graph literacy was significantly associated with overall comprehension (p < .001). Mean comprehension scores were highest for the table format (1.91), closely followed by bar graph (1.85) and icon array (1.80). Information comprehension was aligned with preference scores.
conclusionsGraph literacy in a Medicaid-eligible population was lower than previous estimates in the US. Tables were better understood, with icon arrays yielding the lowest score. Preferences aligned with comprehension. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It may be necessary to reconsider the use of graphic display formats when designing information for people with lower educational levels. Further research is needed.
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