This study article, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, presents the health literacy focus within the Joint Action PreventNCD. Health literacy—covering general, digital, mental, and organizational dimensions—is identified as a key social determinant of health, influencing prevention, access to healthcare, and the ability to make informed decisions. Low health literacy is linked to poorer health outcomes, higher healthcare costs, and greater inequalities, especially among vulnerable groups such as migrants or people with lower socio-economic status.
The article describes the Joint Action’s methodology, which includes surveys, literature reviews, focus groups, and pilot actions across 16 European countries. Guided by a Health Literacy Approach to Theory of Change, the initiative aims to generate evidence, develop new tools (such as a comprehensive mental health literacy scale), and improve the responsiveness of healthcare organizations.
By strengthening health literacy at both population and organizational levels, the Action seeks to reduce NCD-related inequities, improve access to preventive services, and foster collaboration across sectors. The creation of a European Health Literacy Arena is also planned to ensure knowledge sharing and sustainability beyond the project’s lifetime.
Read the full article in the Scandinavian Journal of Public Health