Study Finds Majority of Bulgarians 'Health Illiterate'

Bulgarians aged 55 or over have twice more difficulty to understand what doctors are telling them, compared to younger people. File photo

The majority of Bulgarians, 61%, are ignorant when it comes to their health, according to a study of the Public Health Department of the Sofia Medical University.

Those with higher health culture or the so-called health literate have college degrees and/or reside in the country's largest cities.

People aged 55 or over have twice more difficulty to understand what doctors are telling them, compared to young Bulgarians – between the ages of 15 and 24.

Meanwhile, the high social status and education determine a higher health culture with 71% of the people in these groups being health literate.

Experts point out that health literacy in Bulgaria is an untapped resource, which can lead to economic profits and to the increased quality of medical help.

According to the study, which was conducted in 8 EU Member States, Bulgaria ranked last among them in health culture.

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