The Community Health Supporting Environments and Residents’ Health and Well-Being: The Role of Health Literacy

Abstract

We evaluate the impacts that health supporting environments have on residents’ health and well-being. Using a stratified multi-stage sampling method, we select a sample of 12,360 permanent adult residents aged 15–69, and collect information on their health literacy level, as well as their demographic background and health. This individual level data is then merged with the administrative health supporting environment data. More than two thirds of residents self-reported having good/excellent health, and the percent of adults living in communities with healthy parks, healthy trails, and healthy huts in their community is 23 percent, 43 percent, and 25 percent, respectively. Controlling for a series of confounding factors at the community and individual levels, we find that healthy parks and healthy trails are positively correlated with self-reported health, which increases the probability of self-reporting good health by 2.0 percentage points (p < 0.10) and 6.0 percentage points (p < 0.01), respectively. Access to healthy huts is negatively associated with self-reported health, decreasing the probability of self-reporting good health by 5.0 percentage points (p < 0.01). Health literacy plays a role in moderating the effect of health parks, and a positive effect is more likely to be observed among adults with lower health literacy. Health supporting environments may play a role in reducing the likelihood of undiagnosed diseases and changing residents’ lifestyles, which promotes the health and well-being of residents, especially among those with inadequate health literacy.

The development and progress of health literacy in China

“…Evidence-based interventions should be developed, with rural populations in particular in need of improvement. Importantly, we highly advocate implementing comprehensive, whole-of-government, multisectoral policies and strategies for improving health literacy, This included promoting economic growth, increasing public investment in public goods and services, developing health-related laws and regulations, establishing state-supported health insurance schemes to increase population coverage, promoting public participation, advocating multisectoral coordination and collaboration, creating community health-supporting environments, and promoting a green lifestyle (40)(41)(42)(43).…”

Moderating role of mental health literacy on the relationship between bullying victimization during the life course and symptoms of anxiety and depression in Chinese college students

“…Inadequate mental health literacy is related to a variety of mental disorders including depressive and anxiety symptoms in college students [ 29 ]. Ample studies showed that individuals with inadequate or low levels of mental health literacy tend to have poor mental health outcomes and an increased risk of developing mental health disorders [ 30 , 31 ]. Meanwhile, low mental health literacy also results in higher mental health stigma, which could ultimately be a barrier to help-seeking [ 32 ].…”

Determinants of subjective well-being among migrant and local elderly in China: a cross-sectional study

“…Therefore, just as our actions and choices affect the environment, the environment influences our health and well-being. 3 In particular, for the elderly, their community of residence is their predominant environmental context. The physical and social environment may be more important to those who are retired and therefore are likely to spend more time in the community.…”

“…The relationship between the environment and humanity is one of interdependence. Therefore, just as our actions and choices affect the environment, the environment influences our health and well-being 3. In particular, for the elderly, their community of residence is their predominant environmental context.…”