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Literacy and Health: A. Is Literacy Linked to Poor Health? B. The Relationship Between Health and Literacy D. Literacy and Health Factors E. Health in Low Literacy Regions F. The Health Costs of Rural Low Literacy Rates G. Literacy Programming - Solutions to Health Costs Summary Evidence from many researchers reveals a connection between low literacy and poor health that, though not causal, is certainly contributory. Once the geographic distribution of low literate populations are charted in Manitoba, an opportunity exists for the comparison of health indicators for high and low literate areas. The lowest education levels and the poorest health are co-existent in the same regions. Health is a direct correlative of income level; literacy is a key requirement for attaining higher income. Health costs in low literate areas will decrease when there are more jobs and skill-upgrading available to the people of remote areas. Health costs for reserve populations will likely explode in the near future without immediate intervention. Document and prose literacy rates must increase through an increased investment in adult education in our communities |