Health literacy of college students in Beijing and the demands of health education

Health literacy is the main component of health quality and a comprehensive health indicator reflecting related idea, cognition, behavior and skills. In this paper, we investigated the overall level and characteristics of health literacy based on the survey data of college students in Beijing. The differences of health literacy level among sub-groups were compared, and the influencing factors of health literacy were discussed. The results showed that college students had a higher level in overall health literacy than other peers, but a lower level in the prevention of chronic disease and infectious disease. The level of health literacy of college students was mainly affected by their major, hometown, and situation of health-related elective. Besides, we also found that the way college students used to acquire health knowledge was inconsistent with their expectations, and the requirements for health education were also very high. More systematic and comprehensive health education should be provided in universities, with an emphasis on the knowledge of lifestyle and daily habits.