At least- that is what the linked study proposes.
Flannelly et al observe that there has been a significant decrease in religious affiliation, attendance of services, and perhaps faith. This could mean our people are becoming more skeptical… or more likely… lazier.
Flannelly KJ, Galek K, Kytle J, Silton NR. Religion in America—1972-2006: religious affiliation, attendance, and strength of faith. Psychol Rep. 2010 Jun; 106(3):875-90
Excerpts from the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NAAL) Questionnaire
Kutner, M., Greenberg, E., Jin,Y., and Paulsen, C. (2006). The Health Literacy of America’s Adults: Results From the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy (NCES 2006–483).U.S.Department of Education.Washington, DC: National Center for Education Statistics.
The above chart depicts the scoring system used to evaluate a literacy questionnaire issued to a large representative sample of the United States in 2003. White/Asian women ages 19-39 with a minimum of 16 school years were among the most proficient. Men of the same race, age, and education level scored only slightly less.
Also of note: Individuals with no health insurance performed better than those receiving state aide.
The complete population analysis can be found here: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/2006483.pdf
