The overall level of health literacy ( HL) in China in 2013 stood at 9．48%，contrasting the rural level of 6．92%with theurban level of 13．80%． The level of HL in Eastern China was 12．81%，while it was 6．93%in West China and 7．10% in Central China Region．The level of HL for female was 9．73%， higher than the male level of 9．23%．In addition，the HL rates of health knowledge and concept，health skills，and health life-style and behaviors was 20．42%，12．47%and 10．62% respectively．The HL rates of chronic diseases prevention，infectious diseases prevention，basic medical care，safety and first aid，scientific healthconcept，and health information was respectively 11．59%，17．12%， 8. 30%，43．53%，32. 12% and 18．46%．The results suggest that the level of health literacy of Chinese urban and rural residents is low，but still differs substantially across different areas and sub-populations．