In the framework of its Strategic Action Plan on Human Rights and Technologies in Biomedicine (2020-2025), the Council of Europe is organising a Conference on health literacy and human rights trust building and equitable access to healthcare, to be held in Rome on 12 December 2023.
In cooperation with the National Office Against Racial Discrimination of Italy, and with the support of the Ministry of Family, Natality and Equal Opportunities and of the Ministry of Health of Italy, the event will launch the Guide to health literacy developed by the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO). It will explore health literacy trends and challenges, as well as policy and practice regarding digital health literacy, patient journeys and, as an example, health literacy in the Roma community.
The conference will be live streamed. Click here to register and find out more.
More information
- Conference on Health Literacy and Human Rights
- Online version of the guide to health literacy
- PDF version of the guide
- Flyer
More on the Guide
The Guide to health literacy was developed by the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) and is freely available on the Council of Europe website at: Guide to health literacy - Human Rights and Biomedicine (coe.int). It is available in English and French, several other languages.
The Guide to health literacy is a practical tool to assist decision-makers, health providers and health professionals in addressing healthcare, disease prevention and health promotion.
The Guide promotes the health literacy needs of individuals and the corresponding responsibilities of health systems. It supports the development of more accessible and inclusive health systems by suggesting ways in which decision-makers and health providers can implement health literacy at various individual, organisational, and political levels.
The Guide comprises five actionable components for health systems and users of health systems, namely: access to valid health information; access to appropriate care; communication between individuals, health professionals and health authorities; shared decision-making regarding treatments and care; access to digital spaces to understand and use health services. It also addresses ways to improve health literacy policy, research and practice, and refers to collaboration with health literacy communities.
