Objectives: Health literacy is considered an important determinant for health and well-being. Previous studies indicate considerable social disparities regarding health literacy internationally and in Germany. Migrant populations are mostly regarded as a vulnerable group with low health literacy. However, in-depth data on health literacy among migrants, representing more than a quarter of Germany’s population, are still scarce. Therefore the analysis presents first time data on health literacy among migrants of Turkish and Former Soviet Union origin in Germany, considering social and migration-related factors.

Material and Methods: Data from the HLS-MIG Study, which is closely related to the second representative German Study on Health Literacy 2020 (HLS-GER 2), were used. Adults from the two largest migrant groups, with Turkish- (n=512) and Russian-speaking background (n=525), were recruited via quota sampling and interviewed face-to-face in German, Turkish or Russian in late summer 2020. Health literacy was measured using the HLS₁₉-Q47. Data analyses comprised bi- and multivariate analyses, stratified by the two migrant groups including socio-demographic and migrant-specific determinants.

Results: More than half of the participants in both groups report limited Health Literacy, thus they assess most of the health-related tasks of HLS₁₉-Q47 as difficult. Evaluating health information is the most difficult information step for both groups. Health literacy underlies a demographic and social gradient among both groups. Additionally, migrant-specific aspects such as German language skills correlate with health literacy.

Conclusions: Health Literacy is not per se low among migrant populations. It differs considerably by social, demographic and migrant-specific aspects among migrants of Turkish or Former Soviet Union origin in Germany. Health literacy research needs to take the heterogeneity of migrant populations better into account. There is a need for more in-depth studies and detailed analyses of different migrant populations. The deficit-oriented perspective in migrant Health Literacy research and intervention planning should be complemented by a resource-oriented perspective.