The role of health literacy in evaluation of health promotion and prevention interventions

One specific contribution to the workshop is the consideration of the role of health literacy in the evaluation of health promotion and prevention interventions both as an outcome variable and as a determinant of health-related behaviour. Health literacy has a detectable impact on health status and quality of life and is a necessary prerequisite for health-promoting behaviour. Health promotion should therefore address the determinants of health literacy. The causal relationships reported in the literature between the determinants of health literacy and the dimensions of health literacy (finding health information, understanding, evaluating, implementing) and outcomes can be illustrated in impact models. By using them it becomes clear that health literacy programmes should aim to improve situational determinants as well as individual determinants. It also highlights the central importance of the availability of accessible, understandable and trustworthy health information. Health literacy outcomes are only relevant when they lead to health-related decisions and related actions of individuals. Therefore, measuring health literacy is essential, especially at the decision-making level.