scholarly journals National Action Plan Health Literacy in Germany origin, development and structure

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Schaeffer ◽  
Svea Gille ◽  
Dominique Vogt ◽  
Klaus Hurrelmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
Patient Organizations ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Low Health Literacy ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Core Elements ◽  
Individual Consultation

Abstract Aim Health literacy has gained increasing importance worldwide. As a result of several studies indicating low health literacy levels in large parts of the population, strategies and action plans promoting health literacy were developed in many countries. The article analyses the origin, development and structure of the German Health Literacy Action Plan. Subject and methods In 2016, a civil society initiative was formed, aiming at developing a national action plan in an expert-based and collaborative manner. A group of 15 experts elaborated the core elements of the action plan, based on a literature review on existing health literacy approaches, action plans and empirical evidence. These core elements were further developed collaboratively in workshops with key stakeholders, self-help and patient organizations and individual consultation meetings. Afterwards, the National Action Plan was reviewed and previously formulated recommendations were refined before being published. Results and conclusion The National Action Plan Health Literacy in Germany presents 15 recommendations in four areas of action for promoting health literacy in Germany. This bottom-up strategy and the expert-based yet at the same time collaborative approach have proved to be successful when developing a national action plan.

scholarly journals Concept and Strategy for Implementing the National Action Plan on Health Literacy in Germany

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Schaeffer ◽  
E Berens ◽  
S Gille ◽  
K Hurrelmann ◽  
U Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Implementation Strategy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Project Planning ◽  
German Population ◽  
Federal Minister ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
Representative Study ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Core Elements

Abstract Background In Germany, the development of the National Action Plan on Health Literacy (NAP) was triggered by results of the HLS-GER, the first representative study on HL in Germany, showing that more than half of the German population perceive great problems in processing health information. In response to this, a group of 15 experts from academia, practice and policy worked together on a first draft of the NAP, which was refined based on various stakeholder consultations and finally published in 2018. The plan focuses on four areas of action and initially presents 15 specific recommendations to strengthen health literacy in Germany following five key principles. After the delivery to the Federal Minister of Health in 2018, it quickly became clear that the action plan and its recommendations need additional tools for implementation. Therefore, a systematic implementation strategy was developed. Methods Core elements of the implementation strategy were a systematic dissemination of the plan as well as workshops with important stakeholders from policy, associations, patient and self-help organisations. The aim of the workshops was it to concretise single recommendations of the NAP and to develop additional tools to implement them in specific fields of actions. The workshops led to policy papers, which were consented by a group of stakeholders and again disseminated broadly. Results Through numerous publications and presentations in different contexts the NAP received great attention. Furthermore, seven workshops and one international symposium were conducted focussing on single recommendations of the NAP, each leading to policy papers. The workshops and policy papers contributed to identification with the NAP and motivated the development of tools to promote health literacy. Conclusions The implementation strategy was effective as many stakeholders could be involved. It is also resource and time consuming which needs to be considered in project planning.

scholarly journals Implementation of the National Action Plan Health Literacy in Germany—Lessons Learned

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris Schaeffer ◽  
Svea Gille ◽  
Klaus Hurrelmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Implementation Strategy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
Science And Research

The promotion of health literacy (HL) has become an important task in public health. In response, in many countries, strategies and action plans to strengthen HL have been developed. Systematic discussion of implementation strategies of action plans on HL is scarce. This paper presents the implementation strategy and the methodical process of its realization of the National Action Plan HL in Germany which was published in 2018. The implementation strategy was based on considerations of implementation science and research. A process consisting of a continuum of various overlapping methodical and strategic steps of diffusion, dissemination and implementation based on collaboration and co-production was chosen. According to this, the Action Plan was widely diffused via various channels, disseminated through numerous publications and presentations, and implemented in several settings by holding workshops with stakeholders from politics, science and practice, as well as by cooperating with the Alliance for Health Literacy. This three-part collaborative and co-productive implementation strategy has helped to place HL and the National Action Plan on the health policy agenda in Germany. Experience demonstrates that implementation should be also considered, systematically planned, and addressed when developing strategies to strengthen HL.

scholarly journals 31.C. Workshop: Development and implementation of action plans on health literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Knowledge Society ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Action Plans

Abstract Health literacy (HL) has become an important topic in many countries. As HL - meaning the ability to access, understand, appraise and apply health information (Sørensen et al. 2012) - is important to make sound health decisions, to promote health and to take an active part in managing health and illness in everyday life and navigating the health care system. In the modern digital knowledge society, HL is also indispensable for orienting oneself in the abundance of mostly digital health information, including incorrect and false information, for locating reliable information and for assessing the trustworthiness and quality of information. However, available studies show that HL is insufficient in many countries. Low HL has - as many studies show - negative social consequences ranging from unhealthy behaviour, higher risk for diseases, less self-care and deficits in coping with illness and chronicity, to over- and misuse (extensive use) of health care. The promotion of HL is therefore an important public health task. An increasing number of population studies and policy documents currently underline this. The WHO has therefore included HL into many of its strategies, like the declarations of Shanghai (2016) and Astana (2018), and has published several publications focusing on HL, like the Solid Facts (2013), the 57th Health Evidence Network Report (2018) or the Roadmap for Implementing Health Literacy Activities (2019). In many countries, strategies and national action plans to improve HL have been developed in response to the political call for action, e.g. in Scotland, Germany and recently also in Portugal. Other countries and regions are currently working on the development of a HL action plan, e.g. Belgium and the WHO European Region action plan on HL. The development and especially the implementation strategies of action plans in different countries and the experiences gained will be discussed comparatively in the workshop. Following an introduction (10'), two countries, which already have action plans will introduce their implementation strategy in one presentation each: Germany and Portugal (30'). This will be followed by two presentations of countries/regions in which action plans are currently being developed: Belgium and WHO Europe (30'). Afterwards the participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss on the different strategies (20'). The workshop will help other initiatives to successfully develop and implement policy plans and strategies in different fields of public health. Key messages Strategies and national action plans to improve HL have been developed in different countries/regions. It is important to reflect on the chosen development and implementation strategies and to discuss their effects, successes and barriers.

scholarly journals Health Literacy—How do we Improve the Conversation at the Heart of Healthcare When We Know so Many People are Struggling with It?

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Blythe Robertson ◽  
Annamarie Horne ◽  
Eleri Williams
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Scottish Government

The Scottish Government published “Making it Easy – A Health Literacy Action Plan for Scotland” in 2014, and in 2017 the next steps were set out in “Making it Easier – A Health Literacy Action Plan for Scotland 2017–2025.” This article discusses what health literacy is, outlining the key points from these national action plans. The importance of understanding and addressing health literacy in relation to renal services, and dialysis in particular, is highlighted by use of an example of a Scottish renal unit's practice to outline the principles being used in a service.

scholarly journals Using survey data on population health literacy for developing a National Action Plan in Germany

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Berens ◽  
D Schaeffer
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
German Population ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
German Health ◽  
Literacy Survey

Abstract Promoted by the results of the European Health Literacy survey, the first representative German Health Literacy Survey (HLS-GER) was conducted in 2014. The results showed that every second individual in Germany (54.3 %) has limited health literacy. Thus, a majority of the German population is confronted with difficulties in finding, understanding, appraising, and applying health information. Particularly, vulnerable groups as people with migration background, low education attainment, and in older age as well as chronically ill have even more problems in processing health information and thus are confronted with challenges to maintain health, prevent diseases and use the healthcare system. Based on the initial research findings of the HLS-GER and the increasing attention and discussions arising with its results, the National Action Plan Health Literacy was developed by a group of experts to systematically improve and strengthen health literacy in Germany. After agreements with representatives of politics and society, health professions and patient and citizen organizations it was published in 2018. It includes 15 specific recommendations in four areas of action and focusses on fostering health literacy in daily life, creating a user-friendly and health literate healthcare system, HL and chronic illness and expanding health literacy research. Five underlying key principles are mentioned to consider in implementing the National Action Plan. The HLS-GER survey data were further used to discuss some recommendations within specialized workshops leading to more detailed strategy papers. The current political and practical developments and discussions initiated by National Action Plan, will be picked up in the second German Health Literacy Survey (HLS-GER2), which is part of HLS19. By repeatedly assessing population HL in Germany the implementation of the National Action Plan can be monitored and further specified, thus survey data help to create policy.

The German National Action Plan on health literacy: Empirical base, development and implementation

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (suppl_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Vogt ◽  
D Schaeffer ◽  
U Bauer ◽  
K Koplatzik ◽  
K Hurrelmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
Empirical Base

The German National Action Plan on health literacy: Empirical base, development and implementation

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (suppl_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Vogt ◽  
D Schaeffer ◽  
U Bauer ◽  
K Koplatzik ◽  
K Hurrelmann
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
National Action Plan ◽  
Empirical Base

Derivation, Evaluation, and Validation of Illustrations of Key Counselling Points for a Pediatric Eczema Action Plan

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alana McEvoy ◽  
Maxwell B. Sauder ◽  
Katherine McDonald ◽  
Phillipe Suter ◽  
Annie Pouliot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Medical Team ◽  
Action Plans ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Limited Health Literacy ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Limited Health ◽  
Graphic Elements

Background: Current eczema action plans (EAP) are based on written instructions without illustrations. Incorporating validated illustrations into EAPs can significantly improve comprehension and usability. Objective: To produce and validate a set of illustrations for key counselling points of a pediatric EAP. Methods: Illustrations were developed using key graphic elements and refined by subject experts. Illustrations were evaluated during one-on-one structured interviews with parents/caregivers of children ages 9 and younger, as well as with children ages 10 to 17 years between September 2015 and June 2016. The concepts of transparency, translucency, and short-term recall were assessed for validation. Results: Of 245 participants, 81.3% were parents and/or caregivers of children 0 to 9 years old, and 18.7% were children between 10 and 17 years old. A total of 15 illustrations and 2 storyboards were evaluated; 9 illustrations and 2 storyboards were redesigned to reach the preset validation targets. Overall, 13 illustrations and 2 storyboards were validated. Conclusion: A set of illustrations for use in an EAP was prospectively designed and validated, achieving acceptable transparency, translucency, and recall, with input from patients and a multidisciplinary medical team. The incorporation of validated illustrations into eczema action plans benefits patients with limited health literacy. Future studies should evaluate if illustrations improve understanding of eczema management and translate into improved clinical outcomes.

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