Table 2 Distributional statistics for individual Sw-HLS-EU-Q16/Q6 items

A. Find information on treatments of illnesses that concern you

2 (1)

33 (10)

216 (64)

82 (24)

2 (1)

B. Find out where to get professional help when you are ill

1 (0)

44 (13)

184 (55)

105 (31)

1 (0)

C. Understand what your doctor says to you

0 (0)

24 (7)

209 (62)

100 (30)

2 (1)

D. Understand your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instruction on how to take a prescribed medicine

0 (0)

9 (3)

153 (46)

173 (52)

0 (0)

E. Judge when you may need to get a second opinion from another doctor

21 (6)

129 (39)

139 (41)

44 (13)

2 (1)

F. Use information the doctor gives you to make decisions about your illness

3 (1)

67 (20)

196 (59)

67 (20)

2 (1)

G. Follow instructions from your doctor or pharmacist

0 (0)

7 (2)

170 (51)

157 (47)

1 (0)

H. Find information on how to manage mental health problems like stress or depression

14 (4)

95 (28)

172 (51)

52 (16)

2 (1)

I. Understand health warnings about behaviour such as smoking, low physical activity and drinking too much

1 (0)

13 (4)

131 (39)

189 (56)

1 (0)

J. Understand why you need health screenings

2 (1)

17 (5)

138 (41)

176 (53)

2 (1)

K. Judge if the information on health risks in the media is reliable

8 (2)

102 (30)

165 (49)

60 (18)

0 (0)

L. Decide how you can protect yourself from illness based on information in the media

5 (1)

89 (27)

193 (58)

47 (14)

1 (0)

M. Find out about activities that are good for your mental well-being

1 (0)

32 (10)

185 (55)

116 (35)

1 (0)

N. Understand advice on health from family members or friends

2 (1)

34 (10)

190 (57)

107 (32)

2 (1)

O. Understand information in the media on how to get healthier

4 (1)

49 (15)

190 (57)

89 (27)

3 (1)

P. Judge which everyday behaviour is related to your health

3 (1)

18 (5)

173 (52)

138 (41)

3 (1)