Health Literacy and Health Education in Schools: Collaboration for Action

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Elaine Auld ◽  
Marin P. Allen ◽  
Cicily Hampton ◽  
J. Henry Montes ◽  
Cherylee Sherry ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Gil-Salmerón

Abstract Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are prevalent in the migrant population with increased years of residency in the host country. In this regard, health education and lifestyle interventions have proven to be cost-effective modifying risk factors. The Spanish pilot of the Mig-HealthCare project directly aims to reduce the prevalence of NCDs reducing the well-known “healthy migrant effect” by increasing the levels of health literacy and also turning the lifestyles of the participants into healthier habits in the host country. The Mig-HealthCare pilot in Spain is a one-month group-based Health Education and Lifestyle Intervention to prevent the incidence of non-communicable diseases in Migrant and refugee populations addressing their Acculturation Process (HELP-MAP). Consequently, the pilot intervention addressing 4 topics: health literacy, physical activity, dietary patterns and strategies for coping with stress. The implementation of the pilot will be carried out in two different community services (i) one NGO providing care and accommodation for asylum seekers and (ii) three social care units within primary health care centres. Furthermore, following the Mig-Healthcare study protocol evaluation will focus on acculturation strategies, level of health literacy, physical exercise, change in diet, use of health care access and Quality-Adjusted life-years (QALY)


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 69-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Ling Liao ◽  
Chieh-Hsing Liu ◽  
Chi-Chia Cheng ◽  
Tzu-Chau Chang

Background: Health literacy is related to health inequality, health behaviors, and health status. Globally, health literacy has primarily focused on adults and has been based on the medical model. It is necessary to understand children’s life experiences as they relate to health; thus, this study attempted to evaluate and describe the health literacy abilities of sixth-graders in Taiwan. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 10 teachers and 11 caregivers, and focus groups were conducted with 32 children. Health literacy abilities corresponding to real-life situations were identified from life skills and the Taiwanese Curriculum Guidelines for health education. Three expert meetings were held to redefine children’s health literacy using a health promotion perspective and confirmed indicators. Results: An operational definition of three aspects of children’s health literacy and 25 abilities was proposed: 11 functional health literacy abilities (e.g. understands the connection between personal health care behaviors and health); seven interactive health literacy abilities (e.g. obtains and understands information from various channels); and seven critical health literacy abilities (e.g. analyzes the relationship between personal needs and diet choices for a balanced diet). These indicators cover 10 health education categories. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of understanding Taiwanese children’s health literacy, and the urgency of developing an appropriate measurement tool. The definition and indicators in this study were identified using a child-centered approach focusing on children’s real-life experiences. The result serves as a solid basis for the development of the Taiwan Children’s Health Literacy Scale, and provides information for the decision-making sector on health education.


Author(s):  
Amy S. Hedman-Robertson ◽  
Kathleen G. Allison ◽  
Dianne L. Kerr ◽  
Linda Lysoby

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Wallace

The public health impact of limited literacy has begun to be explored. The elderly and those with limited formal education are often the most vulnerable populations at risk of having low health literacy. Health promotion specialists must be cognizant of the literacy demands of health education materials (e.g., pamphlets, questionnaires) distributed to the elderly. Care must be taken to ensure that health education materials are both linguistically and culturally appropriate for whom they are intended.


Author(s):  
Ruth Cross ◽  
Ivy O'Neil

Abstract This book chapter seeks to: (i) consider models of communication and assess their relevance to health communication; (ii) suggest that health promotion must adopt participatory means of communication; (iii) critique top-down 'banking' approaches to communication and education; (iv) discuss the implications of digital technology development on health communication; (v) assert the importance of health education and consider the idea of health literacy; (vi) explore and critique social marketing; and (vii) explore and critique psychological models of behaviour change.


Author(s):  
Matthew Dale

This chapter will look at the current situation concerning youth mental health in Australia and provide information about youth mental health literacy, which was first coined by Jorm in 1997. A literature review of current Australian mental health promotion and education programs being offered in schools will be conducted as well as examples of some of the better-known ones that have been implemented internationally. The evolution of mental health education in Australian schools will be examined so as to provide a perspective of how some of the current programs came into being or existence. The main aim of this chapter will be to highlight the high prevalence of mental illness that exists amongst young people in Australia and how implementing mental health education in schools can be beneficial and helpful in improving their mental health and wellbeing. Mental health education in schools can help in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness. Another benefit is that young people will be able to identify mental health problems earlier amongst their peers and in themselves, which can lead to early help seeking, especially due to young people gaining a higher level of mental health literacy through mental health education programs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne N. Bjørnsen ◽  
Geir A. Espnes ◽  
Mary-Elizabeth B. Eilertsen ◽  
Regine Ringdal ◽  
Unni K. Moksnes

Mental health education is a central part of school nurses’ practice. Mental health literacy is an asset for health that educational initiatives can strengthen, and a significant determinant of mental health. This study was intended to examine the relationship between positive mental health literacy (PMeHL) and mental well-being to discuss its implications for school health services’ mental health education. The relationship was assessed using a multiple linear regression model controlling for relevant covariates. Data were derived from a cross-sectional school-based survey including 1,888 adolescents aged 15–21 years (response rate 97.3%). A weak gender difference was found in PMeHL. The regression model accounted for 41% of the variance in adolescents’ mental well-being; PMeHL was a significant explanatory variable of mental well-being. Accordingly, the current study found support for including PMeHL, or knowledge of how to obtain and maintain good mental health, as an integral component of school health services’ mental health education among adolescents.


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