By Martin Banks - 24th November 2011
I very much welcome this survey
John Dalli
A major new survey shows that almost half of all Europeans show inadequate or problematic levels of health literacy.
The European Health Literacy conference in Brussels on Wednesday heard that the survey results present a "fundamental challenge" for healthcare professionals.
The European health literacy survey, conducted by a consortium led by Maastricht University, provided data on health literacy across eight European countries (Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain).
It measured the ability of people to access, understand, analyse, and apply health information to take informed decisions allowing them to maintain their health, prevent diseases and seek treatment in case of illness.
Addressing the conference, EU health and consumer commissioner John Dalli said, "I very much welcome this survey. The results provide a sound evidence base to guide national, regional and European approaches to improve health literacy in the coming years."
Swedish EPP member Christofer Fjellner said, "With its recently published proposal for a seven year health programme, the commission seeks to promote 'innovative and sustainable health systems'.
"For citizens to benefit from such innovation to improve their health, we have to empower them to make use of the information and innovative services available to them."
The survey results show that on average 47 per cent of people surveyed across these eight countries have limited health literacy, defined as little or no awareness of health issues.
However, the differences between countries are quite substantial - ranging from 1.6 per cent with inadequate levels of health literacy in the Netherlands to 26.3 per cent in Bulgaria.
The survey also illustrates that the lower the health literacy in a particular country, the poorer the health of its citizens.
The survey also demonstrates that there is a social health literacy gap in Europe, said Jürgen Pelikan, who was responsible for analysing the survey data.
He told the conference, "The data shows that there is not only a health gap within and between European member states, but also a gap in functional literacy and general health literacy.
"Social gradients for all three health-relevant kinds of gaps are age, education, social and employment status and financial deprivation. Inequalities in health literacy and problems of resulting groups with high risks will have to be tackled by policy and practice through specific programmes."
According to the study, the majority of people with limited education, no employment or low income have inadequate levels of health literacy, thus adding an extra burden to the lives of these already vulnerable people.
However, the results of the survey illustrate that not only vulnerable groups are affected by inadequate health literacy, but the general population as well.
People with chronic conditions and other individuals that frequently use healthcare services often have inadequate levels of health literacy, which may lead to a more inefficient use of healthcare resources and increase associated costs.
This confirms findings from the United States indicating the high cost of low health literacy.
The project leader, Helmut Brand, told the gathering that, "It is estimated that low health literacy costs the American economy between €80bn and €177bn annually as persons with low health literacy are more likely to be hospitalised, to experience medication and treatment errors and not to obtain preventive care.
"Our survey shows that this is also a significant problem in Europe and that it's high time for Europeans to react."
Following the survey, the European health literacy consortium is calling for a number of measures from European and national policymakers as well as health professionals in order to empower citizens and increase their health literacy.
These include increased funding to support initiatives in the field of health literacy, particularly for the most vulnerable and developing a comprehensive health information and literacy strategy that goes beyond the current directive on information to patients.
It also wants the EU to conduct further research to inform policies and help measure the impact of health illiteracy across Europe.
