A Review of International Health Literacy Initiatives : Policy Implications for Improving the Nation’s Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70
Author(s):  
Jongnam Hwang ◽  
◽  
Seul Ki Choi
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
International Health ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Literacy Initiatives

scholarly journals Challenges in Navigating the Health Care System: Development of an Instrument Measuring Navigation Health Literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (16) ◽  
pp. 5731
Author(s):  
Lennert Griese ◽  
Eva-Maria Berens ◽  
Peter Nowak ◽  
Jürgen M. Pelikan ◽  
Doris Schaeffer
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
System Development ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
International Health ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Measurement Instruments ◽  
Care Systems ◽  
General Populations

Due to their rapid expansion and complexity, it is increasingly difficult for patients to orient themselves in health care systems. Therefore, patients require a high degree of health literacy, or more precisely, navigation health literacy (HL-NAV). The actual extent of HL-NAV of patients and citizens is still largely unknown due to the lack of adequate measurement instruments. Thus, within the new international Health Literacy Population Survey 2019 (HLS19), one aim was to develop a suitable instrument for measuring HL-NAV in the HLS19 the HL-NAV-HLS19. The item development was conducted by an international working group within the HLS19 Consortium led by the first and last authors. Methodologically, it is based on a scoping literature review, development of a conceptual framework for HL-NAV, and first item formation, as well as an evaluation by experts, stakeholders, focus groups, pre-test interviews, and continuously feedback from the HLS19 Consortium. HL-NAV was defined as the ability to access, understand, appraise, and apply information on navigational issues, drawing on ten selected publications and the health literacy definition of the HLS-EU Consortium. Main tasks of HL-NAV at the system, organization, and interaction level were identified, to which first related items were assigned. Based on the feedback from experts, the focus group discussions, and the HLS19 Consortium, the instrument was slightly revised. Finally, twelve items proved to be feasible in the pre-test. The instrument will be used for the first time in the HLS19 survey and will provide first data on HL-NAV in general populations for the countries participating in HLS19. It is suited for cross-country comparisons and monitoring, as well as for intervention development. However, the instrument should be translated into and validated in further languages and countries for population samples.

scholarly journals Health and Wellness Literacy Initiatives for Immigrant Populations Delivered Through Faith-Based Entities

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Olivia Genereux ◽  
Nashit Chowdhury ◽  
Ayisha Khalid ◽  
Tanvir C. Turin
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Immigrant Populations ◽  
Literacy Initiatives ◽  
Improve Health

Background: Health literacy has been shown to be low among immigrant populations globally, leading to limited ability to locate, access and use health information. Religious entities are often the initial contact for many immigrants regarding health and social supports, there are a lack of knowledge about how initiatives to improve health literacy of the immigrant population may be offered through faith-based entities. The objective of this proposed scoping review is to identify available evidence on health literacy initiatives delivered through faith-based entities for immigrant populations. Methods/Design: Using a scoping review framework we will complete a comprehensive search of relevant keywords in major academic and grey literature databases. Eligible articles will be identified through screening by two independent reviewers according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to include articles relevant to our research question. Selected articles will be charted into data extraction tables for analysis, synthesis and presentation of narrative description and visual graphics. Discussion: This scoping review will identify and assess existing health literacy initiatives delivered through faith-based entities to improve health literacy of immigrant communities. This review will inform which initiatives are commonly practiced, and which immigrant groups are most benefitted from and can potentially be benefitted. It will also describe how to conduct those initiatives and what resources are needed and identify the stakeholders of such initiatives those needed to be engaged with to conduct a successful and acceptable program. The challenges and facilitators of those initiatives will also be identified.

scholarly journals Youth engagement in eMental health literacy

2015 ◽  
pp. 646-657
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Positive Development ◽  
Youth Empowerment ◽  
Youth Engagement ◽  
Literacy Strategies ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Literacy Initiatives ◽  
Implementation And Dissemination ◽  
Literacy Resources

There is growing recognition of the important role that eHealth Literacy strategies play in promoting mental health among youth populations. At the same time, youth engagement in mental health literacy initiatives is increasingly seen as a promising practice for improving health literacy and reducing stigma. The Health Literacy Team at BC Children’s Hospital uses a variety of strategies to engage youth in the development, implementation and dissemination of eMental Health Literacy resources. This paper reviews the evidence that supports the use of eHealth strategies for youth mental health promotion; describes the methods used by the Team to meaningfully engage youth in these processes; and evaluates them against three popular frameworks for youth participation and empowerment. The findings suggest that the Team is successfully offering opportunities for independent youth involvement, positively impacting project outcomes, and fostering youth empowerment. The Team could further contribute to the positive development of youth by creating more opportunities for youth-adult collaboration on eHealth Literacy initiatives.

scholarly journals Health Literacy and Health Conditions at the Intersections of Gender and Race in Later Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 871-871
Author(s):  
Takashi Yamashita ◽  
Darren Liu ◽  
Betty Burston ◽  
Jennifer Keene
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
White Women ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Gender And Race ◽  
Optimal Health ◽  
Race Ethnicity

Abstract The benefits of health literacy are well-documented. Health literacy is a set of skills to locate, understand, and use health-related information to make optimal health decisions. However, relatively less is known about the long-term relationship between health literacy and overall health conditions among older adults. Additionally, health literacy and health at the intersection of gender and race/ethnicity, rather than gender and race separately, are yet to be investigated. This study analyzed sub-samples (n = 1,260 adults age 50+) of the 2010 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) health literacy module data, and the 2012, 2014, and 2016 HRS data to examine the trajectories of health based on eight physical and mental conditions (0-8 points: better-worse) among older adults. Latent growth curve mixture models were used to investigate the changes in health and six groups defined by gender (women and men) and race/ethnicity (White, Black, and Hispanic). Results showed that overall health deteriorated over time (latent-slope = 0.19, p < 0.001) but the trajectories were diverse (latent-slope variance = 0.06, p < 0.001). Greater health literacy (0-5 points: worse-best scaling), which was measured with a validated scale, was associated with better overall health only among White women and men. Notably, White women received the baseline health benefits (b = -0.20, p < 0.05) from health literacy whereas Black women (b = 0.09, p > 0.05) did not [Δb = 0.09 -(-0.20) = 0.29, p < 0.05]. Other detailed comparisons, theoretical explanations, and public health policy implications for diverse older populations were evaluated.

scholarly journals Italian participation to the WHO action network on measuring health literacy: policy implications

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Cadeddu ◽  
L Palmieri ◽  
D Galeone ◽  
V Mastrilli ◽  
R D'Elia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Community Organization ◽  
Organizational Health ◽  
Steering Committee ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
System Level ◽  
Italian National Health Service ◽  
Action Network

Abstract Issue Health literacy (HL) is recognized as a determinant, mediator or moderator of health and of use and results of health care services Inadequate HL is associated with patient disengagement, inappropriateness of care, increased health care costs, and higher mortality rates. Description of the problem Few previous studies suggested that inadequate HL is a prevailing problem in Italy. As compared with the European Countries, Italy has peculiar characteristics of socio-demographic determinants of HL levels, which constitute a challenge for policy making. In so far HL has not been considered as a strategic priority for the Italian National Health Service. The Italian National Institute of Health and Ministry of Health are promoting a national program on HL by adhering to the WHO action network on measuring population and organizational health literacy (M-POHL). Main aim of the program is to propose policies that could enable all citizens to share the benefits of improved HL. A national population survey, coordinated at European level, has been planned in each participating country in 2019. Preliminary results We are setting up the survey using the questionnaire with 47 specific questions about HL and 32 about lifestyles and demographic characteristics. Updated results of this survey will be analysed in order to define a strategic line for the implementation of actions for the improvement of HL in the next National Prevention Plan. Furthermore, the national survey will be scheduled and repeated to monitor results. Lesson State Policies can be implemented at individual, community, organization or system level. Italy is at the beginning of its experience in this field. A national steering committee of experts has also been appointed to support HL policy initiatives. The comparison with existing policies in other countries within the M-POHL action will be another asset to develop HL policies and related activities to benefit citizens, patients and communities.

scholarly journals Health literacy: Global advances with a focus upon the Shanghai Declaration on promoting health in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Andrew Pleasant ◽  
Catina O’Leary ◽  
Richard Carmona
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
International Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Concept Of Health ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Literacy Research

In a steadily growing effort, the world has witnessed more than three decades of effort in research, practice, and policy to socially construct what has been identified as ‘health literacy. While much of the earlier work in health literacy was in the United States, the extent of scholars and practitioners is now truly global. To advance international health literacy, the chapter highlights the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) and a series of international conferences that began in 1980s. More specifically, the chapter outlines World Health Organization’s overarching health literacy efforts, notes the importance of health literacy within WHO’s new organization structure, briefly describes how the concept of health literacy emerged throughout a generation of the WHO’s international conferences, suggests an ethical foundation for the WHO’s health literacy work, and explains how the groundwork set by the WHO provides some challenges and foundations for future health literacy research and practice.

Health literacy: a natural role for librarians

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa S. Arndt
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Think Tanks ◽  
Health Costs ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literacy Initiatives ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce the articles in the special theme issue. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides some background and context on health literacy. Findings Health literacy is a critical constellation of skills. Librarians’ abilities and expertise are well-suited to contributing to the improvement of health literacy for various populations in various settings. Librarians are actively engaging in a wide variety of health literacy initiatives in collaboration with other professionals and organizations. Practical implications Specific examples of how librarians are contributing to health literacy are described. Social implications Lack of health literacy is associated with poor health outcomes and increased health costs. Multiple organizations, think tanks and government agencies have called for addressing disparities in health literacy. Originality/value This paper provides an overview and introduction to the special issue on health literacy.

scholarly journals Harm Reduction and Decriminalization of Sex Work: Introduction to the Special Section

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Brooks-Gordon ◽  
Max Morris ◽  
Teela Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Special Section ◽  
International Health ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Sexuality Research ◽  
Health And Human Rights ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Sex Work Policy ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction: This special section of Sexuality Research and Social Policy, edited by Belinda Brooks-Gordon, Max Morris and Teela Sanders, has its origins in a colloquium sponsored by the University of Cambridge Socio-Legal Group in 2020. The goal was to promote the exchange of ideas between a variety of disciplinary research fields and applied perspectives on harm reduction and the decriminalization of sex work. The colloquium took place during the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic in February 2020. Methods: We explore the impact of Covid-19 on understandings of sex work, outline the basic underpinning legal philosophical question, explore the intersectional politics of decriminalization, summarize contemporary international health and human rights campaigns, explore contemporary public opinion trends on the issue, and illustrate the universal principles. Finally, we summarize the special section papers (N=12). Results: The Covid pandemic provided a lens through which to analyse the changes that have occurred in sex work and sex work research in the past decade and it also exacerbated intersecting inequalities, accelerated many social shifts already in motion whilst changing the course of others. In combination the papers in this special issue examine sex work policy and research across 12 countries in four continents to provide and important space for international and cross-cultural comparison. Conclusions: We present the timely contributions of diverse authors and comment on the significance of their research projects which support a decriminalization policy agenda for the benefit of academics, policymakers and practitioners to improve public health strategies and international responses. Policy Implications: The research here amplifies the focus on harm reduction and strengthens the case for public policy that decriminalizes commercial sex between consenting adults as the best strategy to reduce harm.

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