Table 2 Descriptive results of the HLS₁₉-Q12 instrument (N = 14,184)

1

to find out where to get professional help when you are ill? (e.g., doctor, pharmacist, psychologist)

1.7 (± 0.7)

9.0

2

to understand information about what to do in a medical emergency (e.g., fainting, coma, trauma)?

2.1 (± 0.7)

29.5

3

to judge the advantages and disadvantages of different treatment options (e.g., surgery, Western medicine, Chinese medicine)?

2.3 (± 0.8)

40.3

4

to act on advice from your doctor or pharmacist? (e.g., eat less fried food, exercise more)

1.7 (± 0.7)

9.5

5

to find information on how to handle mental health problems? (e.g., stress, depression, anxiety)

2.1 (± 0.8)

26.9

6

to understand information about recommended health screenings or examinations (e.g., colorectal cancer screening, blood sugar test)?

1.8 (± 0.7)

12.6

7

to judge if information on unhealthy habits, such as smoking, low physical activity or drinking too much alcohol, are reliable (e.g., smoking causes cancer)?

1.7 (± 0.7)

9.8

8

to decide how you can protect yourself from illness using information from the mass media? (e.g., Newspapers, TV, Internet)

1.9 (± 0.7)

16.1

9

to find information on healthy lifestyles such as physical exercise, healthy food or nutrition?

1.8 (± 0.7)

9.8

10

to understand advice concerning your health from family or friends (e.g., healthy diet, regular exercise)?

1.8 (± 0.6)

8.4

11

to judge how your housing conditions may affect your health and well-being (e.g., light, ventilation)?

1.8 (± 0.7)

12.7

12

to make decisions to improve your health and well-being?

1.8 (± 0.7)

10.6

Total

HLS - Q12 score (continuous)

81.6 (23.0)

-

HLS - Q12 score (categorical)^*

 Excellent

2940 (20.7)

-

 Sufficient

5216 (36.8)

-

 Problematic

4958 (35.0)

-

 Inadequate

1070 (7.5)

-