The action network for measuring population and organizational health literacy (M-POHL) and its Health Literacy Survey 2019 (HLS19)

Abstract The first European comparative survey of population health literacy (HL), HLS-EU, triggered a lot of health policy and health systems responses. In the sense of “What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done”, data seem important to capture the attention of decision makers and to support evidence-informed policy and practice. This is one of the reasons why the WHO publication “Health Literacy - The Solid Facts” (2013) demands regular internationally comparative surveys of HL. Building up on initiatives by HLS-EU researchers and the German-speaking WHO member states, the Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational HL (M-POHL) under the umbrella of WHO Europe’s Health Information Initiative (EHII) was founded in 2018 to achieve this aim. M-POHL’s objectives are to support regular measurements of population HL and of organizational HL and to use the results to support evidence-informed policy and practice. A unique feature of M-POHL is that it brings together research and policy: countries typically participate with a research and a policy representative. Experiences so far show that policy representatives in M-POHL find the continuous collaboration with research extremely valuable for maintaining momentum around HL in their respective countries. So far, 24 countries have been involved in M-POHL. M-POHL uses projects to meet its objectives. Its first project will be the next European comparative survey of population HL, abbreviated as “HLS19”. This will build up on HLS-EU by using a standard short form of the survey tool for all participating countries, completing it with optional packages on new topics (digital HL, communication and orientation in health care), and allowing for a few country-specific items. Data collection for HLS19 will start in autumn 2019 and last until March 2020. Based on current expressions of interest, between 10 and 14 countries will participate in the survey. An internationally comparative report will be available in 2021.</jats:p

Policy recommendations for improving health literacy: based on European Health Literacy Survey 2019

Dietscher C, Le C, Telo de Arriaga M, Schaeffer D, Drapkina O, De Gani S. Policy recommendations for improving health literacy: based on European Health Literacy Survey 2019. European Journal of Public Health . 2021;31(Suppl. 3):188.The European network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (M-POHL) was founded in 2018 under the umbrella of the European Health Information Initiative (EHII) of the World Health Organization - Regional Office for Europe. Health literacy (HL) is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant, mediator or moderator of health, and large parts of populations have been shown to have limited HL. Therefore, it is one of the aims of M-POHL to install international comparative population HL surveys at regular intervals. These can provide a valuable and valid basis for developing evidence-informed recommendations for policy, research and practice in the field of HL. To meet this purpose, M-POHL brings together experts from research and policy. Following up on the first European HL survey (HLS-EU), the first project of M-POHL was the international HLS19 survey, with 17 participating countries from the WHO European region. In addition to general population HL, the survey also covered specific HL's such as digital, communication, navigation, and vaccination HL. Despite the obstacles posed by the Corona pandemic, the survey could be administered, and an international comparative report was prepared by the HLS19 project consortium. On this basis, M-POHL will hold two workshops in June and August 2021 to develop resulting recommendations for policy and research in Europe. It is expected that these recommendations will a. o. focus on: population groups in most need of support in their HL; how to improve different dimensions of HL (such as finding, understanding, assessing, and applying relevant health information); HL as applied to health care, disease prevention, and health promotion; and aspects relating to the specific HL's measured. The presentation will describe the process of development, and give an overview of the M-POHL recommendations

Policy recommendations for improving health literacy: based on European Health Literacy Survey 2019

Abstract The European network on Measuring Population and Organizational Health Literacy (M-POHL) was founded in 2018 under the umbrella of the European Health Information Initiative (EHII) of the World Health Organization - Regional Office for Europe. Health literacy (HL) is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant, mediator or moderator of health, and large parts of populations have been shown to have limited HL. Therefore, it is one of the aims of M-POHL to install international comparative population HL surveys at regular intervals. These can provide a valuable and valid basis for developing evidence-informed recommendations for policy, research and practice in the field of HL. To meet this purpose, M-POHL brings together experts from research and policy. Following up on the first European HL survey (HLS-EU), the first project of M-POHL was the international HLS19 survey, with 17 participating countries from the WHO European region. In addition to general population HL, the survey also covered specific HL's such as digital, communication, navigation, and vaccination HL. Despite the obstacles posed by the Corona pandemic, the survey could be administered, and an international comparative report was prepared by the HLS19 project consortium. On this basis, M-POHL will hold two workshops in June and August 2021 to develop resulting recommendations for policy and research in Europe. It is expected that these recommendations will a. o. focus on: population groups in most need of support in their HL; how to improve different dimensions of HL (such as finding, understanding, assessing, and applying relevant health information); HL as applied to health care, disease prevention, and health promotion; and aspects relating to the specific HL's measured. The presentation will describe the process of development, and give an overview of the M-POHL recommendations.</jats:p