An ad hoc committee will consider existing data about scientific and health literacy, research on the association of scientific literacy with public support of science, health literacy, and behaviors related to health. The committee will prepare a final report that synthesizes the available research literature on science literacy and makes recommendations on the need to improve the understanding of science and scientific research in the United States, as well as identifying gaps in our understanding of the relationship between scientific literacy and support for and use of science and research.
The committee will address the following questions:
• What is the consensus on metrics for scientific literacy in the United States?
• What is the evidence on how those measures have changed over time?
• How does this compare to other nations?
• What is the evidence of enhanced scientific literacy on:
o Support for, attitudes on, and perception of scientific research?
o Use of scientific knowledge?
o Perception of U.S. international standing in science?
o Health literacy?
o Behaviors related to health?
• Is lack of scientific literacy associated with decreased support for science and/or research?