EducationNumber
and proportion of persons aged 25 and older with less than a high school (12 years)
educationDomainSocial Environment Rationale for use
of indicatorAdults with less than a high school education and their children
are at greater risk of health problems not directly due to the education level,
but rather because of other factors that tend to be associated with the education
level. Risk FactorsThe more direct risk factors include illiteracy
and lack of health information. The associated risk factors include low-paying
jobs that tend not to provide any or adequate health insurance, and poor living
conditions. The risks for the children begin even before birth; low educational
levels are associated with poor maternal health and consequences for the births.
OutcomesPoor health status for both adults and children. Interventions
Ultimately improving educational attainment levels can help to remedy
many health problems. In the meantime, attention to the associated risk factors,
such as ensuring health insurance coverage, can ameliorate problems. ReferencesInstitute
of Medicine. 1997. Improving health in the community: A role for performance monitoring.
Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
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