Table 3 List of outcomes reported in health literacy RCTs published 2010–2014

Medication-related

4

How to take medication [25, 35, 42, 60]

1

1

Self-reported medication adherence [28, 61–64]

Observed medication adherence [31, 65, 66]

0

Number of clinically important medication errors [67]

Health-related

4

Diabetes knowledge or health literacy [43, 45, 62, 68]

1

Glucose-self-monitoring [45]

0

1

Improvement in HbA1C [36, 68]

Viral load (HIV) [31]

1

Recall of cancer screening knowledge [38, 69]

1

Breast cancer knowledge [24]

0

Increase in discussion about screening decisions [41]

0

Overall health status [44, 45, 63, 65, 70]

1

Sterilisation knowledge [30]

0

Improved communication with health care professionals [65, 69]

1

Hypertension knowledge [34]

0

Systolic BP [28, 36]

1

Recognition of heart attack symptoms [71]

1

Improved inhaler technique (COPD) [72]

0

Knowledge of cardiovascular disease or stroke and their risk factors [28, 71]

1

Creation of self-management plan for asthma [73]

1

Asthma-impact on quality of life indicators [73]

0

Recognition of stroke symptoms [71]

3

Self-efficacy [45, 46, 63, 64]

0

Improvement in LDL-cholesterol [36]

Mental health related

4

Depression or mental health knowledge and literacy [32, 33, 39, 40, 44, 74]

5

Attitudes, intentions, stigma or behaviour about seeking support for mental health issues, especially depression [32, 33, 39, 40, 44, 74]

1

0

Reduction in emotional distress (including anxiety) [32, 44, 46, 68]

Overall mental health status [48, 63]

2

Decision-conflict [24, 75]

Behaviour/lifestyle-related

1

Knowledge of healthy nutrition [29, 37, 76]

3

Nutritional choices and attitudes [28, 37, 45, 62, 68, 76, 77]

1

Understanding labels [29]

2

Increase in exercise [28, 37, 45, 47, 48, 68]

1

Weight loss [28]

0

Recall of healthy lifestyle advice [65]

0

Attempts to comply with multifactor health lifestyle advice [65]

0

Folate B12 and homocysteine

concentration in blood [48]

0

Reduced smoking [28]

0

Reduced alcohol consumption [32]

0

Appointment keeping [63]

1

Home safety actions [46]