College students (n=111), at the onset of a required, liberal arts "health" requirement were evaluated for compliance with the health literacy standards and individual performance indicators identified in the Joint Commission Report on Health Education Standards. Results indicated a functionally illiterate sample with 46.85% falling below the 60% criteria and 77.48% scoring less than a "C". While upper classmen performed marginally better than first and second year students, longevity in higher education seemed to contribute little to overall health knowledge and appeared inadequate for successful health decision-making. Content areas with an error rate greater than 50 percent were sexually transmitted disease, violence and personal safety, and the multidimensional concept of health. Causality may be related to the effectiveness of course work presented in secondary level health education, poor retention of health information and concepts presented at the secondary level and the diminished value students place on the required, general education curricula in higher education. Data reinforces the critical need for formal, comprehensive, mandatory health education at all curricular levels.