Policy
WHO/Malin Bring
Inadequate health literacy is a public health challenge: according to the European Health Literacy Survey, 47.6% of the adult population in 8 countries of WHO European Region have poor or inadequate levels of health literacy. Advancement in policy actions and interventions on health literacy in the Region have been slow.
Health literacy must be recognized as a key element of public health policies that are effective in promoting health through the life course, improving the effectiveness of health systems, and endorsing equity in health outcomes.
The challenge facing policy-makers lies in addressing key risk factors within, across and outside the health sector. Policies must encourage the implementation of effective actions through cross-sectoral collaboration by emphasizing the shared benefits of investing in health literacy.
