Adult Literacy Costs

August 31, 2025

$215 billion is the estimated healthcare costs per year linked to low adult literacy in the U.S.

Low adult literacy is linked to $215 billion in annual healthcare costs in the U.S.

Low literacy leads to increased:

  • E.R. visits
  • office calls
  • need for prescription drugs

Improving reading can aid adults in filling out essential forms, understanding healthcare advice, following doctors’ instructions, and reading medication bottles.

Learn more about adult literacy and skills on ProLiteracy’s Fact Sheet.

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