New tool to support policy- and decision-makers in developing and implementing health literacy policies and actions
Event highlights
21 December 2023
WHO/Europe’s Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (M-POHL) organized a consultation on 6 December 2023.
The consultation gave the participants the opportunity to learn about a draft guide on health literacy-related policies and actions. Examples of relevant approaches from countries were presented. More details on the content of the webinar are included in the event notice below.
Further written feedback is being collected to contribute to the finalization of the guide to be published by M-POHL at the beginning of 2024.
This guide was developed following the European Health Literacy Population Survey 2019–2021 (HLS19) supported by M-POHL, which revealed that large numbers of adults in participating countries have limited health literacy. Member States were encouraged to translate this knowledge into practice at country level, leading to the collection and dissemination of existing practices and case examples on policy measures.
WHO/Europe and M-POHL express warm thanks to the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health for the financial support provided for this project.
Event notice
6 December 2023
WHO/Europe’s Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (M-POHL) is hosting a webinar on 6 December 2023 at 11:00–12:30pm CET.
The aim is to present and discuss draft guidance for policy- and decision-makers, to support them in effective policies and actions improving the health literacy of different populations.
The guide was developed by M-POHL, initiated by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health together with WHO/Europe’s Behavioural and Cultural Insights (BCI) Unit and the Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich).
Led by representatives from these organizations, the session will start with a presentation of the draft guide. Following this, health experts from diverse countries, including Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, and Portugal, will offer insights into the intricate national policy processes shaping health literacy-related approaches in their respective countries.
The BCI team will shed light on the relevance of applying BCI to health literacy, which is considered an important factor driving health behaviours, health, and equity. Within the field of BCI, health literacy refers to the abilities and opportunities of individuals and communities to access, understand, appraise, and use health information in different contexts. Participants will have the opportunity to share reflections on the draft guide and national health literacy policies during an open discussion at the end of the webinar.
Anyone from the public is welcome to join the event. Please use this link to register.
For any questions, reach out to euinsights@who.int.