Promoting health literacy in Europe

The European Health Literacy project is establishing health literacy in Europe by advocating for the advancement of health literacy at all levels. Since the beginning of the project in January 2009 representatives of the consortium have taken part in conferences, debates, meetings, work shops etc. to discuss the overall social and political significance of health literacy.  

National advocacy

A clear objective regards promoting and establishing of national advisory groups in all participating countries.

Ireland

A national advisory panel with more than 20 representatives has been created in Ireland and had its first meeting 25th of June 2010 in connection to the Irish Conference on Health Literacy organised by NALA and MSD.  For more information: www.nala.ie

The Netherlands

On 9th September 2010 the Alliance for Health Literacy was launched in the Netherlands with more than 35 member organisations. It was endorsed at the first conference on health literacy organized by NIGZ, who will also host the secretariate for the Alliance. For more information: www.gezondheidsvaardig.nl 

More countries are currently working on initiatives to involve partners from all sectors to engage in the promotion of health literacy in the society.

European advocacy

Advocacy for advancing health literacy is taking place at European level through several channels.

Lunch debate in the European Parliament

The 25th of June 2010 Maastricht University and MSD initiated a lunch debate in the European Parliament hosted by MEP Parvanova (Bulgaria) and MEP Pat det Cope Gallagher (Ireland). For more information: http://www.euractiv.com/en/health/parliament-press-patient-health-literacy-news-495569