Comprehensive Health Literacy and Health-Related Behaviors Within a General Japanese Population: Differences by Health Domains

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore how different health-related domains of health literacy, as measured by the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire, were associated with health-related behaviors among a general population in Japan. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of 1002 Japanese residents. Our questionnaire addressed socioeconomic status, health status, health-related behaviors, and health literacy. Among the 3 health-related domains of health literacy (health care, disease prevention, and health promotion), a multivariate model revealed that the disease prevention domain was associated with exercise behavior and alcohol consumption. The health promotion domain was associated with dietary behavior and exercise behavior. There were strong correlations among all health-related domains of health literacy; however, there were different associations between health literacy and health-related behaviors depending on those domains. Additional research is needed to determine how and to what extent each domain of health literacy is related to what health behaviors and outcomes.