Objective To investigate the health literacy of senior high school students in Shannan City, Tibet autonomous region, and to find out the health literacy of senior high school students and put forward suggestions to improve their health literacy. Methods A survey was conducted among 600 high school students in Shannan City, Tibet autonomous region, using the National Surveillance Questionnaire of Residents'Health Literacy, which was compiled by the State Health Commission. Results 4.57% of the students surveyed had overall health literacy, and the proportion of health literacy from high to low was as follows: basic knowledge and concept literacy (10.19%), healthy lifestyle and behavior literacy (9.14%) and health skills literacy (3.87%).The proportion of six types of health literacy from high to low was as follows: safety and first aid literacy (40.42%) and scientific health outlook (29.35%).Health information (14.06%), prevention and treatment of infectious diseases (13.01%), prevention and treatment of chronic diseases (10.23%) and basic medical treatment (6.85%).The proportion of male students with health information literacy was higher than that of female students (χ²=4.476,P= 0.034).There was no significant difference in the proportion of other types and aspects of health literacy.Except for the proportions of infectious disease prevention and control literacy among students of different grades (χ²=5.513,P=0.064), the proportions of health literacy possessed by all kinds and aspects of students of higher grades were higher than those of lower grades, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion The proportion of health literacy of senior high school students in Shannan City is low, and the proportion of health literacy of junior high school students is far lower than that of senior high school students.Relevant departments need to take practical measures to strengthen the health education of junior high school students and continuously improve their health literacy.