Work

The negative association between health status and digital health literacy among Chinese youth: a cross-sectional study on Chinese general social survey

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background The healthy growth of youth is related to the future of the country. However, under the social pressure, the time and space of Chinese youth are extremely compressed, and there are generally health problems such as obesity and declining physical fitness. Based on the above issues, the study uses data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS 2021) to systematically examine the relationship between contemporary Chinese youth health status and digital health literacy, with the aim of improving the health level of Chinese youth. Methods An empirical study was conducted that using from the International Social Survey Project (ISSP) health module of the China General Social Survey (CGSS 2021). The Chinese youth group was selected as the research sample, and used OLS model to analysis the relationships between the health status of contemporary Chinese youth and their digital health literacy. Results There is a significant negative correlation between the health status of Chinese youth and their digital health literacy ( p < 0.01). By replaced the independent variables and used the AIPW method to overcome the sample selection problem, it shows that the empirical results of this study have good robustness ( p < 0.05). Exploratory analysis further indicates that physical exercise plays a masking role in the relationship between Chinese’s youth health status and their digital health literacy ( p < 0.01). The impact of health status on digital health literacy is only significant in the youth group with high socioeconomic status ( p < 0.01). Conclusion This reverse relationship reveals new characteristics of Chinese youth’s health behavior in the digital age. That is the lower health status, the higher their digital health literacy, which forms a causal paradox. Heterogeneity analysis shows that digital inequality still exists among Chinese youth. Therefore, it is recommended that youth pay attention to the combination of physical exercise and digital health literacy in daily health management, enhance their ability to obtain, understand, and apply health information, and achieve sustainable health improvement.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1682986

Author: Peng Hou

Institutions: Xidian University, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801