Health outcomes through analytics: Literacy and numeracy
The ABCs of education and health outcomes
Education is one of the drivers of health typically established early in life and often measured through assessments for literacy and numeracy. Our three-part education volume examines health outcomes data and offers actionable takeaways to better understand literacy and numeracy in relationship to chronic condition management, health behaviors, and health care utilization.
Data to inspire conversation and catalyze action
Deloitte's Health Outcomes through Analytics series explores relationships between drivers of health—the social, environmental, and economic factors that influence health—and health outcomes, identifying actionable trends through a quantitative lens. The main goal of this series is to deepen understanding of drivers of health, detangle and segment analyses, and share knowledge broadly to help inspire conversation and catalyze collaborations that ultimately address root causes.
We recognize that real-world health care issues are highly nuanced, complex, and multifactorial. So additional real-world research may be needed to keep building the evidence base—and this series is just a first step.
Volume one focuses on education as a driver of health, with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy: two foundational skill sets established early in life that can have long-term implications. Download the full report to explore our main findings and learn more about a relationship between literacy, numeracy, and health.
Chapter one: Numeracy, literacy, and chronic condition management
Numeracy is important for appropriately acting on health information to manage chronic conditions effectively. Our research uncovered that counties with lower literacy and numeracy tend to experience higher rates of high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. These conditions require general at-home management and a strong understanding of numeric values such as calorie count, blood cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels for successful management.
Chapter two: Numeracy, literacy, and health behaviors
Numeracy and literacy are important skill sets to empower adults in managing their own health behaviors. Our research uncovered that counties with lower numeracy and literacy tend to get less sleep and leisurely physical activity in all income groups.
Chapter three: Numeracy, literacy, and health care utilization
Numeracy appears important for interpreting and appropriately acting on personal health information, which may inform site-of-service decisions. At a population level, average high numeracy may lead to more judicious health care utilization across all sites of service.
Our findings on literacy reflect some of the prior ambiguity. However, the relationship between numeracy and health care utilization seems to be more consistent. Moreover, there may be a numeracy threshold (from medium to high) that helps to avoid inappropriate utilization.
Literacy, numeracy, and health outcomes are interwoven
Numeracy may be especially important and overlooked. Based on population data, high numeracy is more difficult to acquire and is mentioned less often than literacy in the literature. However, our initial findings suggest that numeracy may provide greater visibility into health behaviors and outcomes.
Opens in new window
Moving forward
Each community is generally well positioned to develop and tailor programs and solutions relevant to their context. Going as far upstream as possible should catalyze a high impact. However, an important mindset involves starting somewhere, grounded in data, community engagement, and a commitment to identifying and actioning on approachable gaps within the complexity.
With some advanced planning, evidence can be generated using existing sources—individuals and organizations can begin collecting information and measuring outcomes with openly available tools, resources, and collaborations.
Finally, measurement and evaluation are important and cannot be overemphasized. Improving health outcomes involves shared knowledge. Looking to talk more about the drivers of health or how your organization can help further health? We’d love to learn how we can help you work toward optimal health outcomes. Let’s talk and make a meaningful difference.
Elya Papoyan
