biostudies-literatureLau NTTKent State UniversityResearch FoundationNICHD NIH HHSAgence Nationale de la RechercheCanada Research Chairs ProgramJames S. McDonnell FoundationInstitute of Education SciencesHealth ResearchCAPESU.S. Department of EducationFWO201303https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8924770biostudies-literatureUnknown9(3)During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe have been exposed to large amounts of statistical data. Previous studies have shown that individuals' mathematical understanding of health-related information affects their attitudes and behaviours. Here, we investigate the relation between (i) basic numeracy, (ii) COVID-19 health numeracy, and (iii) COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours. An online survey measuring these three variables was distributed in Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) (<i>n</i> = 2032). In line with predictions, basic numeracy was positively related to COVID-19 health numeracy. However, predictions, neither basic numeracy nor COVID-19 health numeracy was related to COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours (e.g. follow expeRoyal Society open scienceNumeracy and COVID-19: examining interrelationships between numeracy, health numeracy and behaviour.PMC8924770ANR-18-CE28-000388881.128282/2016-01F32 HD102106HD102106-01NIH NICHD F32R305A160295Thompson CWilkey EDAlvarez AOllivier FVan Hoof JLagace Cusiac RLau NTTRibner ADSoltanlou MBahnmueller JTremblay PBellon EGoffin CAnsari DCoolen IPeters LAlves ISfalseNumeracy and COVID-19: examining interrelationships between numeracy, health numeracy and behaviour.During the COVID-19 pandemic, people across the globe have been exposed to large amounts of statistical data. Previous studies have shown that individuals' mathematical understanding of health-related information affects their attitudes and behaviours. Here, we investigate the relation between (i) basic numeracy, (ii) COVID-19 health numeracy, and (iii) COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours. An online survey measuring these three variables was distributed in Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) (<i>n</i> = 2032). In line with predictions, basic numeracy was positively related to COVID-19 health numeracy. However, predictions, neither basic numeracy nor COVID-19 health numeracy was related to COVID-19 health-related attitudes and behaviours (e.g. follow expe2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Mar2026-03-15T20:37:15.271Z2025-04-06T19:24:10.045ZS-EPMC89247703530862510.1098/rsos.201303