Strategy study of improving residents′ health literacy under the guidance of "Healthy Shanghai Action"

ObjectiveBased on the Health Shanghai Action 2019-2030, combined with the monitoring results of Shanghai residents′ health literacy, we analyzed the data, looked for the existing problems and the possible causes in the improvement of health literacy, and put forward corresponding suggestions and strategies.

MethodsUsing the monitoring data and results of Shanghai residents′ health literacy from 2008 to 2018, we made aggregate analysis of residents′ health literacy and comparative analysis of different years, different ages and different regions in this regard.

ResultsThe health literacy level of Shanghai residents was 28.38% in 2018.The absolute value of growth is 21.41% and the average annual growth rate was 13.61% compared with 2008.The literacy levels of infectious disease prevention, healthy behavior, and basic medical treatment were relatively low.There had been a big gap between urban and rural residents in literacy levels of health information, health knowledge, and health skill.

ConclusionThe health literacy level of Shanghai residents has been improved significantly.In future, we should strengthen the health education of infectious disease prevention, healthy behavior, and basic medical treatment, using different health education methods for different age groups or different education level people.Moreover, we need to establish and strengthen the authoritative health information release platform, so the residents especially rural ones, can get the reliable health education information in time.