Aim and objectives:
In 2012, the Austrian Council of Ministers approved ten comprehensive targets to improve determinants of health in the sense of Health in All Policies. Health target number 3 aimed to enhance health literacy in the population.
Method:
A working group consisting of 30 experts from public administration, social security, research institutions and civic society developed specific sub-targets and indicators including:
- to make the health system more health literate through involving stakeholders and those affected (for example, by developing health literate organisations);
- to strengthen individual health literacy with consideration for people in vulnerable situations (for example, by collaborating with the education system);
- to embed health literacy in the service and production sectors (the economic system).
Outcome:
The national healthcare reform process was an entry point for change towards a more health literate system. The steps included establishing the Austrian Health Literacy Platform as a steering body for health literacy initiatives, participation on European and national health literacy surveys, implementation of interventions focusing on health literacy-sensitive information and communication as well as the development of health literate organisations. Moreover, health literacy is promoted as a professional competency of health providers.
Added value:
Since the agreement of health target 3 on health literacy, health literacy has become part of the mainstream public discourse in Austria and is included in the government’s programme. It is an emerging topic in curricula of health professionals and the health literacy evidence has put in motion multiple new initiatives to improve practice. More can still be achieved with regards to shared decision-making and activities beyond the healthcare sector.
