Health Literacy in People with Type 1 Diabetes: A Scoping Review

Ilaria Milani, Elisa Cipponeri, Paola Ripa, Arianna Magon, Stefano Terzoni, Silvia Cilluffo, Maura Lusignani and Rosario Caruso ()
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Ilaria Milani: Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Elisa Cipponeri: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Paola Ripa: Nursing School, Ospedale San Giuseppe—MultiMedica, 20123 Milan, Italy
Arianna Magon: Health Professions Research and Development Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, 20097 San Donato Milanese, Italy
Stefano Terzoni: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Silvia Cilluffo: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Maura Lusignani: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy
Rosario Caruso: Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 6, 1-24

Abstract: Health literacy (HL) plays a crucial role in the self-management and clinical outcomes of individuals with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). Despite its significance, research on HL in this population remains fragmented. This scoping review aims to map the existing literature on HL in T1DM and assess its impact on disease management. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering studies up to January 2025. The review included 55 studies, primarily focusing on adolescents and young adults, examining key HL dimensions such as numeracy, self-efficacy, nutrition literacy, and the use of digital health technologies. Findings highlight that adequate HL levels are associated with improved diabetes self-care, glycemic control, and quality of life, while barriers such as low numeracy, social anxiety, and socioeconomic disparities hinder disease management. Limited research exists on HL interventions tailored to T1DM, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to enhance patient education and engagement. Given the complex interplay between HL and diabetes outcomes, integrating HL assessments into routine care and developing tailored interventions may improve long-term disease management and quality of life for individuals with T1DM.

Keywords: scoping review; health literacy; Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus; clinical outcomes; nursing; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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