Learning to read transforms lives. Reading is the basis for the acquisition of knowledge, for cultural engagement, for democracy, and for success in the workplace. Illiteracy costs the global economy more than $1 trillion (U.S. dollars) annually in direct costs alone (World Literacy Foundation, 2015). The indirect costs are far greater because the failure to attain satisfactory literacy blocks people from acquiring basic knowledge, such as understanding information about hygiene, diet, or safety. Consequently, low literacy is a major contributor to inequality and increases the likelihood of poor physical and mental health, workplace accidents, misuse of medication, participation in crime, and welfare dependency, all of which also have substantial additional social and economic costs (World Literacy Foundation, 2015). Low literacy presents a critical and persistent challenge around the world: Even in developed countries, it is estimated that approximately 20% of 15-year-olds do not attain a level of reading performance that allows them to participate effectively in life (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, 2016).

中文翻译：

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结束阅读战争：从新手到专家的阅读习得

学习阅读改变了生活。阅读是获取知识，文化参与，民主和工作场所成功的基础。单是文盲，每年直接给全球经济造成的损失就超过1万亿美元（世界扫盲基金会，2015年）。间接成本要高得多，因为无法获得令人满意的识字率会阻碍人们获得基础知识，例如了解有关卫生，饮食或安全的信息。因此，低文化程度是造成不平等的主要因素，并增加了身体和精神健康状况差，工作场所事故，滥用药物，参与犯罪以及对福利的依赖，所有这些都带来了巨大的社会和经济成本（世界扫盲）基金会，2015年）。