Abstract: Objective To analyze the health literacy level and influencing factors of the elderly in rural areas of Shanxi Province in 2021. Methods From January to May 2021,992 permanent elderly residents over 60 years old in rural areas of Shanxi Province were selected to conduct a health literacy questionnaire survey,and the status quo and influencing factors of their health literacy level were statistically analyzed. Results A total of 992 people were surveyed,including 523 males and 469 females. The health literacy rate of elderly people in rural areas of Shanxi Province was 12.20%,including 13.38% for males and 10.87% for females.The logistic regression analysis showed that age,education level,occupation and access to health-related guidance were the main influencing factors of residents' health literacy level（all P<0.05）.The residents who have college/bachelor degree or above （OR=5.929）,and formerly employed as civil servants/public institution personnel/teachers or other enterprise personnel（OR=3.564-5.320） tended to have higher health literacy. The age of 66-<76（OR=0.280-0.533） and lack of access to health-related guidance（OR=0.234） were risk factors for health literacy. Conclusions The health literacy level of the elderly in rural areas of Shanxi Province is low,and age,education level,previous occupation and access to health-related guidance are the main influencing factors. On the basis of improving the health literacy of the elderly in rural areas of Shanxi Province,it is suggested that the health education should focus on the older and less educated farmers.

Key words: Health literacy, Rural elderly people, Influence factors