Health literacy linked to active and successful aging in Turkish older adults
In a cross-sectional survey of 306 adults aged 65 and over at an active aging center in Antalya, Türkiye, higher health literacy was associated with better active and successful aging scores; this shows association, not causation. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The cross-sectional study included 306 participants aged 65 and over at an active aging service center in Antalya, Türkiye, between October 2024 and May 2025. [1]
Higher education, income, regular physical exercise and mental activity were significantly associated with better health literacy and aging outcomes. [1]
The authors conclude that health literacy is a key factor of active and successful aging. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Descriptive cross-sectional study (abstract only)
- Population / context
- 306 adults aged 65 and over attending an active aging service center in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 29, 2026
Survey of 306 older adults in Antalya
This descriptive cross-sectional study ran from October 2024 to May 2025 at the Metropolitan Municipality's Active Aging Service Center in Antalya, Türkiye. It included 306 participants aged 65 and over, with an average age of 67.79 ± 3.56 years. 79.4% were women and 70.6% were university graduates. Most reported a chronic illness (66.0%) and regular medication (64.7%); 58.5% exercised regularly and 80.7% did regular mental activities.
Supporting source [1]
Higher health literacy tied to better aging scores
Participants completed the Active Ageing Scale, the Successful Ageing Scale and the Turkish Health Literacy Scale. Mean scores were 190.10 ± 39.37 for active aging, 57.74 ± 7.61 for successful aging and 32.97 ± 9.53 for the health literacy index. Bivariate analyses found that higher education, income, regular physical exercise and mental activity were significantly associated with better health literacy and aging outcomes. The authors conclude that health literacy is a key factor of active and successful aging.
Supporting source [1]
Cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions
The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot show whether health literacy causes better aging or the reverse. The sample came from one active aging service center and was mostly women and university graduates, so results may not generalize to all older adults. The abstract does not report the regression details or effect sizes. The authors suggest that older adults care centers should prioritize health literacy to promote active aging.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The cross-sectional design cannot establish causation, and the single-center sample was mostly women and university graduates. Regression details and effect sizes are not reported in the abstract.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Akdeniz Ş, Wolf-Ostermann K. · europepmc.org · September 29, 2026