Final answer:
Individuals at higher risk for Low Health Literacy include those with lower education, older age, and specific vulnerable groups. Racial disparities affect African Americans significantly with higher rates of chronic disease and mortality. Improving adult literacy rates, especially among women, remains a key challenge in addressing these health inequities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Some characteristics of individuals at higher risk for Low Health Literacy include lower educational attainment, coming from a non-native-English-speaking background, older age, and belonging to groups such as adults with disabilities, prisoners, rural populations, and adult migrants. Specific groups particularly affected by health inequities include racial and ethnic minorities, such as African Americans (AA), who experience greater morbidity and mortality rates for chronic diseases compared to White Americans.
Vulnerable populations such as older adults and those with lower economic status often face barriers to accessing quality health care and education, impacting their ability to engage in informed health decision-making. These disparities are influenced by systemic issues like economic inequality and systemic racism. Furthermore, disparities in adult literacy rates have implications for health literacy, with UNESCO reporting that adult literacy for women is increasing, yet challenges persist and require continued efforts to raise awareness and improve educational opportunities.