Which demographic factors are risk factors for low health literacy?

The factors that contribute to low health literacy encompass a range of demographic characteristics that can influence an individual's ability to understand and navigate health-related information. The correct choice identifies age, poverty, minority race, and gender as pertinent risk factors.

Age is significant because older adults often face challenges with comprehension and accessing health information, partly due to cognitive decline or unfamiliarity with new technologies. Poverty is another critical factor, as individuals in low-income situations frequently have limited access to educational resources, healthcare, and information that enhance health literacy. Minority race is relevant because historically, these groups may experience systemic barriers leading to disparities in educational opportunities and healthcare access, subsequently affecting their health literacy levels. Lastly, gender can also play a role, as socio-cultural factors may influence how health information is received and understood among different genders.

In contrast, while the other options contain components related to demographic factors, they either combine elements that do not robustly capture the full range of risk factors typically associated with low health literacy or fail to include key elements identified in research related to health literacy disparities. Understanding these demographic factors is crucial for developing effective public health communication strategies tailored to the needs of different populations.