Health knowledge, health behaviour and health status was studied among a 65-74-year-old population in eastern Finland by using self-administered questionnaires, interviews and health examination. Among men, low health knowledge was related to smoking and poor self-perceived health status. Among women, low health knowledge was related to poor self-perceived health status, lowered functional capacity, abstinence from alcohol, high fat consumption, and low coffee consumption. These findings were discussed in the light of their implications for health education.