ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify the influence of health literacy and health empowerment on health behavior practice in elderly patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: 239 elderly outpatients older than 65 years of age were included. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including independent t-test, ANOVA, and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Major factors having a significant impact on health behavior practice were health literacy (β=.26, p<.001) and health empowerment (β=.32, p<.001). Health literacy was increased by 4.7% after controlling for general and health-related characteristics. Health empowerment increased by 5.9% after controlling for general and health-related characteristics, and health literacy. The two variables explained 35% of the variance in health behavior practice (F=7.74, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The main findings of this study can be utilized as the foundation for developing programs to promote health empowerment and health behavior practice of the elderly population. Furthermore, the results of the study can also be used to establish health-related strategies.