The level of health literacy of residents in Southwest China's Chongqing grew to 20.82 percent in 2019 and the target of reaching 20 percent in 2020 -- proposed in the "Healthy Chongqing 2030" plan -- was completed a year in advance, according to a report issued by the Chongqing Municipal Health Commission on June 19.

Officials said the term health literacy refers to an individual's ability to acquire and understand health information and use this information to maintain and promote their own health.

It includes three aspects: basic knowledge and concepts, healthy lifestyle and behavior and basic skills.

Officials said the evaluation index of residents' health literacy is included in the national health development plan as an evaluation index that comprehensively reflects the development of national health undertakings.

According to commission officials, the survey was conducted in all the city's districts and counties.

Results showed that the health literacy level of Chongqing residents has steadily improved, reaching 20.82 percent in 2019, which means that about 20 out of 100 residents have basic health knowledge and can use this knowledge to promote their own health -- 3.22 percentage points higher than that in 2018.

Officials said that the health literacy level of residents in 18 poverty-stricken districts and counties in the city last year was 19.79 percent, 4.21 percentage points higher than that in 2018.

Commission officials said that, for the key population in poverty-stricken areas, Chongqing has also issued a corresponding plan, clearly proposing that by 2020, the health education for residents in poor areas will be fully covered, and the health literacy level of poor areas and counties will reach the target level of Chongqing setting for 2020 or 60 percent higher than that in 2018.