Health literacy supports active aging

From the individual viewpoint, active aging refers to ability of older persons, depending on their goals, functional capacity and opportunities, engage in desired activities. This study investigated role health literacy among persons differing number chronic conditions. Data were collected from 948 individuals, 57% women, aged 75, 80 85 2017–2018 city Jyväskylä Central Finland. Health was assessed with 16-question version European Literacy Survey (HLS-EU-Q16), University Active Aging Scale (UJACAS) self-reported physician-diagnosed Both (r = 0.40) conditions ?0.21) correlated score. Linear regression models revealed that a stronger predictor than (? 0.18, p < 0.001 vs. ? ?0.06, 0.030) its predictive value remained statistically significant after adjustment for cognitive capacity, depressive symptoms, physical performance length education. Higher can enable including those multiple conditions, maintain higher levels aging. As more people are projected live ages, may help them cope illnesses limitations lead fulfilling life. These cross-sectional findings lay foundation future prospective experimental studies