What is health literacy?
Health literacy is a multidimensional concept with overlapping and context-specific definitions. The WHO Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (M-POHL)
developed the following umbrella definition of health literacy:
Health literacy (HL) refers to the extent to which people are able to access, understand, appraise, and apply information in all its forms, communicate about health concerns, and make appropriate use of services to improve their health and well-being, prevent and manage illness, and support others in these matters or make decisions on their behalf.
HL is influenced by the social, cultural, and organizational contexts in which people grow up, learn, work, live, receive care and age. It results from the interaction between personal motivation, individual competencies and the accessibility, understandability, quality and user-friendliness of health-related information and services, and the support available to address health challenges.
Based on: WHO 1986; Kwan et al. 2006; Parker/Ratzan 2010; Sørensen et al. 2012; The HLS19 Consortium of the WHO Action Network M-POHL 2021; Nutbeam/Muscat 2023
Figure adapted by ÖPGK based on Parker, R. (2009)
Why strengthen health literacy?
Health literacy is one of the important determinants of health behaviour, health and equity. However, limited health literacy has proven to be a widespread public health challenge in most European countries.
Individuals with lower health literacy tend to make fewer healthy choices, engage in riskier behaviours, have worse overall health, and struggle with self-management. This also leads to higher healthcare costs and inefficient use of health services. Therefore, limited health literacy remains a significant public health challenge across most European countries, with strong evidence linking it to poor health outcomes.
