From knowledge to wellness: the role of caregiver health literacy in promoting Yi children’s health in China

The health status during childhood is strongly associated with long-term health, economic outcomes, and personal achievements throughout life. However, there is a paucity of literature concerning the health of Yi children in China (Yi: one of China’s 55 officially recognized minority groups). This study aims to empirically investigate the Yi children’s health through the lens of caregiver health literacy. Based on the cross-sectional data from the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in China, the present study applied Logit models to examine the relationship between caregiver health literacy and Yi children’s health status. The results reveal that higher levels of caregiver health literacy correspond to better health outcomes for Yi children, which remained significant after a series of robustness tests. Heterogeneity analyses indicates that the health promotion effects of caregiver health literacy are more pronounced among Yi boys. Meanwhile, mothers’ health literacy exerts a stronger influence on Yi children’s health outcomes compared to other caregivers. These findings provide empirical evidence to support governmental policy formulation aimed at enhancing caregiver health literacy and promoting Yi children’s health status. Particularly, by focusing on children in ethnic minority areas, the current study offers significant reference value for addressing health inequalities across regions and ethnic groups.