The world is becoming increasingly complex, and this transformation does not spare the abundance of health information. Every day, people are exposed to a flood of information, whether through traditional mass media or social media channels. This can be both helpful and overwhelming. Amidst this diversity, health literacy is gaining importance – a key competency enabling individuals to find, understand, evaluate, and responsibly use health information. But how can this essential skill be effectively promoted?
Prof. Dr. Orkan Okan, head of the Assistant Professorship of Health Literacy and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Literacy, and Dr. Alexandra Fretian, research associate, aim to contribute to strengthening health literacy through the Qualindo-HLGK project. The University of Potsdam, led by Prof. Dr. Kevin Dadaczynski, is a project partner, and the initiative is supported by the Federal Centre for Health Education with funding of €230,000.
“There is currently a lack of systematic approaches and evidence in intervention and evaluation research on health literacy. Little is known about which measures effectively strengthen health literacy for specific target groups,” explains Prof. Dr. Okan.
The project seeks to develop quality indicators to comprehensively evaluate and effectively enhance interventions and measures promoting health literacy. “Our goal is to establish clear and reliable criteria to measure the quality of such interventions,” says Dr. Fretian. The focus is on initiatives that support individuals in making well-informed decisions about their health. “Improved health literacy is demonstrably linked to better health decisions- and that’s precisely what we’re targeting in our work.”
Whether in daycare centers, schools, communities, or digital environments, the project focuses on settings where people of all age groups, from children to adults, can be reached. For the Federal Centre for Health Education and other health promotion stakeholders, the criteria developed in the project aim to provide a practical tool for evaluating and improving the quality of interventions.
The development of quality criteria follows a systematic and practice-oriented approach. The first step involves an extensive literature review to gather existing insights. Building on this foundation, experts from academia and practice will participate in a multi-stage Delphi process. This iterative approach facilitates continuous refinement of the outcomes through practical feedback.
“We consciously rely on a participatory approach,” says Dr. Fretian. “It is important to us that the target groups for whom these measures are developed are involved from the beginning – whether in defining objectives or designing the interventions. Participation is not only a quality criterion in itself but can also increase the success of measures.”
A distinctive feature of the project is its open process design. The developed quality criteria will be documented in a "Living Document," which will remain adaptable through regular updates, incorporating new scientific findings and practical experiences. “Our vision is a publicly accessible and user-friendly platform that will benefit health promotion in the long term,” explains Dr. Fretian.
The Qualindo-GK project aims to provide orientation for both researchers and practitioners. “There are currently no unified quality criteria for interventions in the field of health literacy,” emphasizes Dr. Fretian. “For public institutions, NGOs, or organizations looking to promote health literacy, we aim to provide a robust foundation for evaluating and improving the quality of their initiatives.”
The publication of the checklist is a decisive step toward facilitating better health decisions. “Improved health literacy is a win for everyone,” concludes Prof. Dr. Okan. “It leads to better decisions, fewer illnesses, and, ultimately, greater quality of life and self-responsibility.”
To the homepage of the Assistant Professorship of Health Literacy
To the homepage of the Qualindo-HLGK-project
Contact
Prof. Dr. Orkan Okan
Assistant Professorship of Health Literacy
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Tel.: +49 89 289 24986
Email: Orkan.Okan(at)tum.de / info.healthliteracy(at)tum.de
Dr. Alexandra Fretian
Assistant Professorship of Health Literacy
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 Munich
Tel.: +49 89 289 24991
Email: Alexandra.fretian(at)tum.de
Text: Bastian Daneyko
Photos: Private