Women’s Health Literacy and Health Behaviors

Abstract

This study aimed to assess women’s health literacy levels and health literacy characteristics from a life-course perspective, with a focus on the relationship between health literacy and eight health behaviors. Analysis using a single-item health literacy measure (SILS) revealed that 24.6% of Korean women had ‘limited’ health literacy, with significant variations observed across different age groups. The risk of low health literacy among Korean women notably increased after the age of 65 compared to the 16-64 age group, and among older adults aged 75 and above, approximately 60% experienced health literacy problems. The group with low health literacy showed lower subjective health levels and appeared to engage in poorer health behaviors across all age groups. The association between health literacy and health behaviors varied across different life stages, as evident in indicators such as current and past smoking, binge drinking, physical activity, HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening, and breast cancer screening. Therefore, there is a need for evidence-based health literacy programs in various domains to promote health equity and improve women’s health.