Health Literacy Among Late-Life Migrants in China: The Role of Multilevel Migration Characteristics

Abstract

China is experiencing rapid population aging alongside large-scale internal migration. In this context, the health literacy (HL) of late-life migrants is a crucial yet understudied issue of healthy aging. Drawing on the data from 814 late-life migrants aged 50 or above from the 2016 China Migrants Dynamic Survey, this study employed multiple linear regression models to examine how migration characteristics—at the individual, community, and city levels—relate to HL and its specific dimensions. The results showed a modest overall HL in the sample, with health-related skills scoring the lowest. Higher levels of HL were observed in those who migrated shorter distances, with family members, for employment or caregiving purposes, and had better access to community health services. Living in larger cities with more abundant healthcare resources was associated with better HL outcomes. The impact of migration characteristics varied across different HL dimensions. This study fills a key research gap by focusing on a large but often overlooked population in China’s aging society. These findings suggest the need to improve multilevel health service provision to support HL, thereby promoting health equity in the context of aging and mobility.