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Percent of adults in poor health
Percent of adults who have received public assistance
Percent of households that make $20,000 or less

When it comes to health, literacy matters.

Adults with below basic to basic literacy levels are over 5 times more likely to report being in poor health than their more literate counterparts. From reading labels on medication to writing notes to a doctor to describing symptoms to medical staff — literacy is crucial to receiving good medical care.

Adults with below basic to basic literacy levels are over 5 times more likely to report being in poor health than their more literate counterparts.

Literacy leads to financial independence.

The more literate you are, the less likely you are to have received public assistance. This trend holds true for many types of public assistance, including WIC (Women, Infants and Children), TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), and food stamps.

The more literate you are, the less likely you are to have received public assistance. This trend holds true for many types of public assistance, including WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and food stamps.

Literacy is a strong indicator for household income.

Literate adults are far more likely to be above the poverty line ($18,400 for a 4-person household in 2003, $25,750 today) than their less literate peers. 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. have not achieved the literacy skills they need to improve their standard of living.

Literate adults are far more likely to be above the poverty line ($18,400 for a 4-person household in 2003, $25,750 today) than their less literate peers.

Health, financial independence, and income are dependent on literacy

By arming adults with the literacy skills necessary for improved health outcomes, better access to quality healthcare, and increased income, all Americans benefit from a better quality of life. While we have a thorough picture of what adult literacy looked like in 2003, what do those 1 in 6 Americans look like today?

By arming adults with the literacy skills necessary for improved health outcomes, better access to quality healthcare, and increased income, all Americans benefit from a better quality of life.

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    Literacy and Well-being