The influence of access to care on the health literacy of families in Mexico.

This study examines the moderating role of access to healthcare on the relationship between parent health literacy (HL) and child health outcomes in Mexico. Using a survey of 373 parent–child dyads, results showed that higher parent HL was positively associated with better youth mental wellbeing and overall health, while limited healthcare access correlated with increased youth substance use (cigarettes, marijuana, alcohol). Access to care factors such as affordability, timely medical attention, and availability of providers moderated the influence of parent HL on youth health behaviors, suggesting that improving both parent HL and healthcare access may enhance child health outcomes. The study highlights the importance of culturally tailored interventions and policy efforts to address healthcare barriers and promote health literacy among Mexican families.