Health literacy : The solid facts

1 Health literacy The solid factsEditors: Ilona Kickbusch, J rgen M. Pelikan, Franklin Apfel & Agis D. TsourosABSTRACTThis publication makes the case for policy action to strengthen Health literacy . Evidence, including the results of the European Health literacy Survey, is presented that supports a wider and relational whole-of-society approach to Health literacy that considers both an individual s level of Health literacy and the complexities of the contexts within which people act. The data from the European Health literacy Survey show that nearly half the Europeans surveyed have inadequate or problematic Health literacy .

2 Weak Health literacy skills are associated with riskier behaviour, poorer Health , less self-management and more hospitalization and costs. Strengthening Health literacy has been shown to build individual and community resilience, help address Health inequities and improve Health and well-being. Practical and effective ways public Health and other sectoral authorities and advocates can take action to strengthen Health literacy in a variety of settings are identified. Specific evidence is presented for educational settings, workplaces, marketplaces, Health systems, new and traditional media and political Consumer Health informationDecision makingHealth literacyHealth management and planningHealth policySocial determinants of healthISBN: 978 92 890 00154 Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to.

3 Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe UN City, Marmorvej 51 DK-2100 Copenhagen , DenmarkAlternatively, complete an online request form for documentation, Health information, or for permission to quote or translate, on the Regional Office web site ( ). World Health Organization 2013 All rights reserved. The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

4 Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication.

5 However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use. The views expressed by authors, editors, or expert groups do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World Health editing: David BreuerCover and inside design: Christophe Lanoux, Paris, FranceLayout: Phoenix Design AidCover photos from left to right: World Health Organization/Leo Weakland; World Health Organization/Connie Petersen; World Health Organization; World Health Communications AssociatesiiiContents Foreword.

6 Iv Contributors .. vi Introduction .. 1A. Making the case for investing in strengthening Health literacy .. 3 1 European Health literacy Survey .. 4 2 Health literacy a key determinant of Health .. 7 Example: noncommunicable diseases .. 12 3 Limited Health literacy an underestimated problem and equity challenge .. 15 Example: migrants and minorities .. 19 4 Health literacy builds resilience among individuals and communities.

7 22 Example: Netherlands Alliance for Health literacy .. 24B. Taking action to create and strengthen Health literacy friendly settings .. 26 5 Attributes of Health -literate settings .. 28 6 Health literacy is a key attribute of a healthy city .. 29 7 Attributes of Health literacy friendly 31 8 Educational settings .. 35 9 Marketplace and community settings .. 40 10 Workplace settings .. 44 11 Health care settings .. 49 Example: adherence to medication.

8 54 Example: programmes for self-managing chronic disease .. 56 12 Media and communication .. 59 13 Social media and mobile Health .. 63C. Developing policies for Health literacy at the local, national and European Region levels .. 68ivThe WHO solid facts series was launched 15 years ago as an accessible source of intelligence on important and promising public Health topics deemed worthy of more policy attention and action. It has two purposes. First, it aims to distil the best available evidence on these topics based on often-complex scientific stud-ies and reviews.

9 Second, it identifies policy implica-tions and action points that could convert these ideas into realities. Importantly, in addressing these goals, the solid facts series has also appraised the strength of available evidence and identified where research and more solid facts are needed. Distilling evidence is especially challenging for cutting-edge public Health concepts and the need to attract the attention of deci-sion-makers. The strength and the extent of the avail-able evidence may vary depending on the subject area, setting, Health system or methods factors make Health literacy a compelling and timely topic in the solid facts series.

10 literacy and Health literacy are fundamental components of pursuing Health and well-being in modern society. As societies grow more complex and people are increasingly bom-barded with Health information and misinformation and confront complex Health care systems, becom-ing a Health -literate person has become a growing challenge. Importantly, we now understand that poor Health literacy adversely affects people s Health . literacy has been shown to be one of the strongest predictors of Health status along with age, income, employment status, education level and race or ethnic group.