Abstract

Health literacy, defined as the ability to understand, evaluate, and apply health information, is critical for managing chronic diseases, medication adherence, and accessing healthcare services, particularly among older adults. Low health literacy is linked to higher hospitalization rates, inefficient use of healthcare services, and worsened health inequities. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of research on health literacy in older adults, based on 1,475 articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The analysis shows a steady increase in research output since 2000, with a notable acceleration after 2016. This surge is driven by factors such as global population aging, healthcare system complexity, the rise of digital health technologies, and the increased prioritization of health literacy in public health policies. The United States leads in terms of publication volume and citation count, followed by China and Australia. Key themes identified in the literature include health management, digital health literacy, and healthcare access. Influential authors such as Wolf MS, Curtis LM, and Federman AD have significantly shaped the field, while institutions like the University of California System and Northwestern University dominate research output. The study emphasizes the growing significance of digital health literacy, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the adoption of e-health tools among older adults. The findings highlight the need for standardized assessment tools, culturally tailored interventions, and interdisciplinary collaborations to address health literacy disparities. This research provides a comprehensive overview of the field, identifies emerging trends, and offers valuable insights for future studies aimed at enhancing health literacy among older adults.

Author(s)

Mustafa KAFES
Ali Yasin KAFES

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