Health literacy and adolescents' substance use behaviors and correlates: a scoping review.

This article focuses on the relationship between health literacy (HL)—defined as individuals’ knowledge, motivation, and competencies to access, understand, appraise, and apply health information—and substance use behaviors and correlates in adolescents. A scoping review of 16 studies from diverse global regions found that higher HL is generally associated with lower use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, electronic vapor products, and amphetamines/methamphetamines among adolescents aged 10 to 25 years. However, the literature is limited by a predominance of cross-sectional designs, a lack of longitudinal and intervention studies, and inconsistent measurement of HL components (functional, interactive, critical). The review highlights gaps including the need for standardized HL measures, exploration of HL’s role as a mediator or moderator in substance use, and expanded research on emerging substances like vaping and marijuana, as well as parental and peer influences, to better inform prevention interventions.