Health Literacy in Korea: Findings from a Nationally Representative Survey

Abstract

Health literacy influences self-management of health, access to health care use, and interaction between health care providers and patients. It is also a major influencing factor in health behavior, health care use patterns, and health outcomes. This paper aims to introduce and analyze the health literacy survey conducted in 2021 as a supplement to the Korea Health Panel Survey. The results of the supplemental survey indicate that almost half of persons aged 19 and over find it difficult to access, acquire, interpret, and use the information and services they require to make informed health decisions and take appropriate actions. Furthermore, health literacy levels are even worse among vulnerable socioeconomic groups. To establish policies to promote health literacy, it is necessary to monitor health literacy levels among Koreans. We hope that the supplemental survey of the Korea Health Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey of health care utilization, expenditures, and comprehensive influencing factors such as socioeconomic characteristics, comorbidities, and health behaviors, will be widely used to provide empirical evidence for researchers and policy-makers.