Measuring Health Literacy in Europe: The development of the HLS-EU tool Helmut Brand; Prof. of European Public Health Kristine Sørensen; project coordinator on behalf of the HLS-EU consortium Dept. of International Health, Maastricht University, the Nederlands
Outline 1. Health literacy in a global perspective 2. Definitions and concepts of health literacy 3. The launch of the European health literacy survey 4. The European health literacy network 5. Final remarks
Health literacy in a global perspective Need of measurement! Evolving since the 70 s Starting point: the USA Bridge international gap No universal definition Slow dissemination Attention the last decade
Wide range of definitions and concepts of health literacy Institute of Medicine 2004: The individual s capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Yost et al. 2009: Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to read and comprehend health-related print material, indentify and interpret information presented in graphical format (charts, graphs, tables), and perform arithmetic operations in order to make appropriate health and care decisions.
Wide range of definitions and concepts of health literacy WHO 1998: The cognitive and social skills which determine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. Kicbusch et al. 2005:The ability to make sound health decision(s) in the context of everyday life at home, in the community, at the workplace, the healthcare system, the market place and the political arena.
Health literacy in Europe Only few national studies exist. Most studies have a patient-related focus. There is a need from decision-makers for a broader public-health perspective E.g. is health literacy on the Agenda of the EU
Health literacy on the EU agenda A core value is Citizens' Empowerment. Healthcare is becoming increasingly patientcentred and individualised, with the patient becoming an active subject rather than a mere object of healthcare. Building on the work on the Citizen's Agenda, Community health policy must take citizens' and patients' rights as a key starting point. This includes participation in and influence on decision-making, as well as competences needed for wellbeing, including 'health literacy *, in line with the European Framework of Key Competences for lifelong learning e.g. looking at school and web-based programmes *The ability to read, filter and understand health information in order to form sound judgements. WHITE PAPER: Together for Health: A Strategic Approach for the EU 2008-2013
The launch of a European study on health literacy 9 European project partners, 16 international collaborating partners Lasting 32 months: 2009-2011 Budget of 1.185 million Co-funded by the European Commission within the EU Health Programme (2003-2008)
Aim and objectives of the HLS-EU Project To help establish the issue of health literacy in Europe To contribute to further development of the concept To discuss social and political significance of health literacy To document waysof operationalisation of health literacy
The European Health Literacy Study takes place in HLS EU 1. Austria 2. Bulgaria 3. Germany (NRW) 4. Greece 5. Ireland (tbc.) 6. The Nederlands 7. Poland 8. Spain
Results A model instrument to measure Health Literacy in Europe (HLS-EU) Concept validation approach Integrated conceptual model Delphi procedure to develop questionnaire Validation of questionnaire Datacollection: N=1000 in each country; Face to face interviews Comparable datasets on health literacy from 8+ countries: Summer 2010
Results II Creatinga European Network on Health Literacy Advance input for priority setting and valorisation strategies on health literacy at national, regional and international level to support decisionmakers in health
Ambitions The HLS-EU project - help establish Health Literacy in Europe, - highlight its social and political significance, - contribute to its further development, - and demonstrate its manifestation in different European regions and cultures.
Conclusion HLS EU HLS-EU is a conceptual based learning opportunity The study results linking the cultural diversity in Europe and health literacy can serve as a test case for other regions Global attention is vital for knowledge sharing and further elaboration of health literacy
More info? www.health-literacy.eu THANK YOU!