In a landmark move to gauge the public’s understanding of health, China has released its first-ever National Medical Literacy Survey Report. The findings paint a nuanced and concerning picture: while the nation aspires to be a “Healthy China,” a significant portion of its population lacks the basic knowledge to navigate its own healthcare, revealing deep urban-rural and knowledge gaps that demand urgent attention.

Published by the Institute of Health Promotion and Medical Communication at Guangdong Medical University, the report establishes a critical baseline. In 2024, only 10.48% of Chinese residents demonstrated adequate medical literacy—the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information to make appropriate health decisions.

The most striking revelation is the profound urban-rural divide. While urban residents achieved a literacy rate of 14.54%, this figure plummeted to just 5.35% in rural areas. This chasm highlights a fundamental inequality in access to and understanding of health information, posing a major barrier to equitable public health outcomes.

The survey also uncovered a paradox in the type of knowledge people possess. While residents scored relatively high on “conceptual literacy” (an acceptance of modern medical principles) and “skill literacy,” their foundational “knowledge literacy” was alarmingly low. This suggests that while many may trust doctors, they lack the specific facts to manage their own health effectively.

This knowledge gap is particularly evident in specific health domains. Chinese citizens were most literate about medication use (27.87%) but had dangerously low awareness of how to prevent non-communicable diseases like diabetes or hypertension, with a mere 5.39% literacy rate. This is a critical finding in a nation grappling with a rising tide of chronic illnesses, which are now the leading cause of death.

The release of this report is more than an academic exercise; it is a strategic milestone. As Li Nannan, a prominent health media figure, noted, studying medical literacy at a population level is essential for reflecting the overall state of social health development in an era where patient empowerment is key.

For years, the concept of “medical communication” has been championed by Guangdong Medical University. This report is the culmination of that effort, providing the hard data needed to transform theory into policy. It offers a scientific roadmap for government bodies to design targeted interventions, moving beyond one-size-fits-all campaigns to address specific deficiencies.

The findings are a clear call to action. To achieve its “Healthy China 2030” ambitions, the nation must prioritize bridging the literacy gap. This means investing in public health education that reaches beyond city centers, simplifying complex medical information, and focusing on preventative care for chronic diseases.

By courageously measuring the problem, China has taken the first, most crucial step toward solving it. This report is not just a diagnosis of a challenge; it is the foundation upon which a healthier, more informed, and more equitable future can be built.