Health literacy

Definition: Proportion of 15–74-year-olds with health literacy above the minimum level regarded as necessary for understanding and using information relating to health issues.

Source: ABS 2008b; Table S1.4.12.

  • In 2006, 41% of Australians aged 15–74 were assessed as having adequate or more than adequate health literacy skills (ABS 2008b).
  • Half (50%) of all people aged 30–39 had health literacy skills that were adequate or better. Less than one-quarter (22%) of people aged 60–74 had health literacy skills that were adequate or better.
  • Levels of health literacy skills were similar for males and females – 40% of males and 41% of females had adequate or better health literacy skills.

For more information, see Chapter 4.3 'Health literacy'.

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