Disparities in asthma morbidity and mortality by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) have been repeatedly documented. Low literacy may contribute to asthma disparities, yet prior asthma interventions have not satisfactorily addressed this literacy barrier; even though as many as half of adults living with asthma and caregivers to children with asthma have limited literacy skills. Multimedia and enhanced print materials may be effective bridge tools to help community asthma workers and pharmacists convey asthma knowledge and teach proper self-management in a manner that is accessible to a lower literate audience. The purpose of this research is to support the mentorship and research training of Dr. Michael Wolf at Northwestern University to develop Asthma Self Management Enabling (ASME) Materials that target education and empowerment messages to inner-city adults with asthma or caregivers to affected children to 'prime' these individuals to maximize their benefit from asthma self-management programs. The ASME materials will include a multimedia program and """"""""enhanced print"""""""" handout; both designed to be accessible to a lower literate audience and be culturally appropriate. Training and research activities will be nested in an ongoing study led by the Primary Sponsor of this proposal (K. Weiss), and will include: 1) analyses of longitudinal data to better understand direct and indirect pathways through which literacy and cultural influences impact asthma self-management behaviors, 2) Use findings from those analyses to guide qualitative research activities for the development, refinement, and pilot testing of the ASME materials, and 3) field test the ASME materials among adults with asthma and caregivers to children with asthma, to see if the materials improve coping, knowledge, and self-efficacy. Findings from this research will support grant submissions for a more substantial evaluation of the materials; I will also explore opportunities to translate this methodology to the self-management of other chronic diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01EH000067-01
Application #
6915877
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZCD1-EWS (K2))
Program Officer
Williamsjohnson, Mildred M
Project Start
2004-09-30
Project End
2007-09-29
Budget Start
2004-09-30
Budget End
2005-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$242,504
Indirect Cost
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
160079455
City
Evanston
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60201
Osborn, Chandra Y; Davis, Terry C; Bailey, Stacy Cooper et al. (2010) Health literacy in the context of HIV treatment: introducing the Brief Estimate of Health Knowledge and Action (BEHKA)-HIV version. AIDS Behav 14:181-8
Wolf, Michael S; Shekelle, Paul; Choudhry, Niteesh K et al. (2009) Variability in pharmacy interpretations of physician prescriptions. Med Care 47:370-3
Sobel, Rina M; Paasche-Orlow, Michael K; Waite, Katherine R et al. (2009) Asthma 1-2-3: a low literacy multimedia tool to educate African American adults about asthma. J Community Health 34:321-7
Baker, David W; Wolf, Michael S; Feinglass, Joseph et al. (2008) Health literacy, cognitive abilities, and mortality among elderly persons. J Gen Intern Med 23:723-6
Paasche-Orlow, Michael K; Wolf, Michael S (2008) Evidence does not support clinical screening of literacy. J Gen Intern Med 23:100-2
Khankari, Kishore; Eder, Mickey; Osborn, Chandra Y et al. (2007) Improving colorectal cancer screening among the medically underserved: a pilot study within a federally qualified health center. J Gen Intern Med 22:1410-4
Persell, Stephen D; Osborn, Chandra Y; Richard, Robert et al. (2007) Limited health literacy is a barrier to medication reconciliation in ambulatory care. J Gen Intern Med 22:1523-6
Wolf, Michael S; Baker, David W; Makoul, Gregory (2007) Physician-patient communication about colorectal cancer screening. J Gen Intern Med 22:1493-9
Davis, Terry C; Wolf, Michael S; Bass 3rd, Pat F et al. (2006) Low literacy impairs comprehension of prescription drug warning labels. J Gen Intern Med 21:847-51