School health literacy encompasses the personal health literacy of children and adolescents and the organizational health literacy of schools as well as the professional health literacy of teachers. School health literacy is best reflected by the health literate school framework.

Promoting health literacy among children and adolescents is a priority in Europe because early acquisition of these skills can shape lifelong health behaviors and reduce health inequalities. Schools are key settings for reaching all young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, ensuring equitable opportunities to build foundational health knowledge and competencies. Improving school health literacy supports better academic performance, enhances well-being, and contributes to healthier future generations.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section advocates for integrating health literacy into school curricula and supports research on effective educational strategies. We collaborate with educators, policymakers, and health professionals to develop resources, share best practices, and promote policies that foster health-literate school environments. Our initiatives aim to empower young people to take an active role in their health and to support teachers in delivering relevant, accessible health education.

Mental health literacy refers to the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to recognize, manage, and prevent mental health challenges, as well as to seek appropriate support when needed. It also includes managing mental health information (access, understanding, evaluation, and use ) to maintain good mental health, reduce stigma, and access mental health services.

Mental health issues are a growing concern across Europe, affecting individuals, families, and communities. Low mental health literacy can lead to delayed help-seeking, increased stigma, and poorer outcomes for those affected. Enhancing mental health literacy is crucial for early intervention, reducing the burden of mental illness, and promoting overall societal well-being.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section prioritizes mental health literacy by supporting research, policy development, and educational initiatives. We work to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the integration of mental health literacy into public health strategies. Our activities include developing resources for different populations, facilitating knowledge exchange, and advocating for policies that ensure mental health is a central component of health literacy efforts.

The health care focus in health literacy dates back to the early origins of health literacy research in the 1990s and aims at increasing patient health and literacy skills to make informed decisions about health care services, treatments, and self-management. It involves navigating health systems, understanding medical instructions, and communicating effectively with health professionals.

Europe’s diverse populations face varying challenges in accessing and utilizing health care services. Low health care literacy can result in misunderstandings, inappropriate use of services, medication errors, and poorer health outcomes. Improving health care related health literacy is essential for patient safety, effective care, and reducing health disparities.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section supports efforts to make health care systems more accessible and understandable for all. We promote research on patient-provider communication, advocate for clear health information, and encourage the design of user-friendly health services. Our work includes collaborating with health professionals and institutions to build capacity for health-literate care environments.

Health literacy in policy – or Health Literacy in All Policies – refers to the integration of health literacy principles into health policies , strategies, and legislation to create supportive environments that enable individuals to make informed health decisions. It involves recognizing health literacy as a determinant of health and embedding it into public health frameworks.

Embedding health literacy in policy is a priority in Europe to address health inequalities and improve population health. Policies that prioritize health literacy can enhance the effectiveness of health promotion, disease prevention, and health care delivery. They also ensure that vulnerable groups are not left behind and that health information and services are accessible to all.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section actively engages in policy advocacy at national and European levels. We contribute to policy development by providing evidence, sharing best practices, and supporting the implementation of health literacy strategies. Our goal is to ensure that health literacy is recognized and addressed in all relevant health and social policies.

Health literacy assessment and measurement research involves developing and applying tools to evaluate individuals’, populations’, or organizations’ health literacy. This research helps identify gaps, monitor progress, and inform interventions aimed at improving health literacy on personal, professional, and systemic levels.

Reliable assessment of health literacy is crucial for understanding its distribution and determinants across different European populations. Measurement research guides targeted interventions, helps evaluate the impact of health literacy initiatives, and supports evidence-based policymaking. Addressing measurement challenges ensures that health literacy efforts are effective and equitable.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section supports the development and validation of health literacy assessment tools suited to diverse European contexts. We facilitate research collaborations, share methodological advances, and promote the use of standardized measures in health literacy studies. Our activities help build a robust evidence base to inform practice and policy.

Organizational health literacy refers to the capacity of health care and educational organizations, institutions, and systems to make it easier for people to access, understand, and use health information and services. It involves creating environments that support health-literate practices and communication.

Health care and educational organizations play a pivotal role in enabling or hindering individuals’ health literacy. Low organizational health literacy can create barriers to care, especially for vulnerable populations. Improving organizational health literacy is essential for patient-centered care, safety, for the development of child and adolescent health literacy, and reducing health inequalities across Europe.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section promotes organizational health literacy by supporting research, training, and the development of best practice guidelines. We collaborate with health care and education providers and policymakers to foster environments that prioritize clear communication, user-friendly services, and equitable access. Our initiatives aim to embed health literacy into the culture and operations of health and educational organizations.

Vaccine literacy is the knowledge, motivation, and skills needed to access, understand, and use information about vaccines and immunization. It enables people to navigate health systems, make informed vaccine decisions, and recognize the broader public health value of vaccination. A vaccine-literate community can work together to improve access and support vaccination efforts.

As a relational concept, vaccine literacy balances individual and community skills with the complexity of vaccine information and health system demands. It is key to addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Improving vaccine literacy helps build trust and increase vaccination rates.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section supports vaccine literacy through research, education, and policy. By working with partners to develop resources and promote effective strategies, we aim to establish a vaccine-literate environment that can address limits in personal, community, and population-level vaccine literacy and to empower people and strengthen health systems to respond to vaccine challenges.

Food and nutrition literacy is the knowledge and skills needed to access, understand, and use information about food and nutrition for a healthy diet. It includes nutrition literacy—understanding nutritional information—and food literacy, which focuses on the relationship with food systems and responsible food choices.

Enhancing food and nutrition literacy is essential for reducing dietary inequalities and promoting health equity. Barriers such as socioeconomic and commercial factors often limit people’s ability to make healthy food choices, especially among disadvantaged groups.

The EUPHA Health Literacy Section advances food and nutrition literacy through research, policy, and education. We can help to improve nutrition quality and appropriate diet through the promotion of health literacy, encourage informed decisions, and support environments that make healthy eating accessible and sustainable for all.