The action network for measuring population and organizational health literacy (M-POHL) and its Health Literacy Survey 2019 (HLS19)

Abstract

The first European comparative survey of population health literacy (HL), HLS-EU, triggered a lot of health policy and health systems responses. In the sense of “What doesn’t get measured doesn’t get done”, data seem important to capture the attention of decision makers and to support evidence-informed policy and practice. This is one of the reasons why the WHO publication “Health Literacy - The Solid Facts” (2013) demands regular internationally comparative surveys of HL.Building up on initiatives by HLS-EU researchers and the German-speaking WHO member states, the Action Network on Measuring Population and Organizational HL (M-POHL) under the umbrella of WHO Europe’s Health Information Initiative (EHII) was founded in 2018 to achieve this aim. M-POHL’s objectives are to support regular measurements of population HL and of organizational HL and to use the results to support evidence-informed policy and practice. A unique feature of M-POHL is that it brings together research and policy: countries typically participate with a research and a policy representative. Experiences so far show that policy representatives in M-POHL find the continuous collaboration with research extremely valuable for maintaining momentum around HL in their respective countries. So far, 24 countries have been involved in M-POHL.M-POHL uses projects to meet its objectives. Its first project will be the next European comparative survey of population HL, abbreviated as “HLS19”. This will build up on HLS-EU by using a standard short form of the survey tool for all participating countries, completing it with optional packages on new topics (digital HL, communication and orientation in health care), and allowing for a few country-specific items. Data collection for HLS19 will start in autumn 2019 and last until March 2020. Based on current expressions of interest, between 10 and 14 countries will participate in the survey. An internationally comparative report will be available in 2021.