Study on change trends in the health literacy level of Chinese residents from 2016 to 2024

ObjectiveTo examine the change trends in health literacy levels among Chinese residents from 2016 to 2024, providing evidence for the formulation of health policies and health education interventions.MethodsUtilizing health literacy monitoring data of Chinese residents from 2016 to 2024,this study employed the Mantel⁃Haenszel chi⁃square test for trend and linear trend regression models.It analyzed the changing characteristics of health literacy across urban and rural areas,the eastern,central,and western regions,as well as three aspects(basic knowledge and concepts,healthy lifestyles and behaviors,and basic skills) and six categories of health literacy issues (safety and first aid,scientific health concepts,health information,chronic disease prevention and control,basic medical care,and infectious disease prevention and control).ResultsFrom 2016 to 2024, the health literacy levels of Chinese residents were 11.58%,14.18%,17.06%,19.17%,23.15%,25.40%,27.78%,29.70%,and 31.87%,respectively.The cumulative increase over the nine years was 20.29%,with an average annual growth rate of 13.65%.A rising trend in national health literacy levels was observed from 2019 to 2020.Disparities existed among different regions,with the eastern region having the highest level and the western region the lowest.Notably,the rate of improvement in health literacy among residents in the central region after 2019 was faster than in other regions.The residents in rural areas experienced rapid and substantial growth in health literacy,with the urban⁃rural gap gradually narrowing from 2022 onwards.A "know⁃do" gap was identified among the three aspects of health literacy.All six categories of health literacy issues showed upward trends,with significant increases in basic medical care and infectious disease prevention and control literacy between 2019 and 2020.Chronic disease prevention literacy and health information literacy grew at a relatively faster pace.ConclusionsThe health literacy level of Chinese residents demonstrated a sustained and steady upward trend from 2016 to 2024.Future health promotion efforts should adhere to region⁃specific and tiered implementation principles,with targeted enhancements in key dimensions such as basic skills,basic medical care,and infectious disease prevention and control.While maintaining the current growth rate,greater emphasis should be placed on the qualitative improvement of health literacy.