WHO Working Group on Health Literacy in Schools

Abstract

Abstract Background Addressing children`s and adolescents` health literacy is a bedrock for personal and societal growth, health and wellbeing over the life-course, and sustainable development in the WHO European Region and beyond. Promoting health literacy competencies should already be addressed in schools. To outline a strategy for the national education sectors, WHO Europe has launched a working group on health literacy in schools, which aims to develop a conceptual framework for decision makers within the educational and health sector to advocate for health literacy, facilitate the implementation process, and support the uptake on the national level. Methods Based on expert workshops and meetings, literature and document analyses and discussions, this working group has developed a concept note on health literacy addressing the education sector of the WHO member states. Results This work is linking health literacy in schools with the wider WHO health literacy strategy. Emphasis is placed on the critical role of the education sector and the necessary resources to implement action in schools. In addition, this report provides curriculum examples from Member States and key health literacy learning objectives. This includes an action agenda in order to implement monitoring and surveillance of health literacy in schools. The concept paper acknowledges the large variation in the level and organizational structure of the school health services among the 53 regional Member States. Conclusions This report highlights the reason why health literacy of children and adolescents should be addressed as early as in schools. It outlines the available evidence on children and adolescent`s health literacy and the challenges the Member States might face when they aim at addressing health literacy in the education sector and schools. The report should help policy and decision makers to implement health literacy in their countries taking into consideration the importance of adapting to local contexts.