Shaping a Quality Approach to Health Literacy in Primary Education - Seminar Overview

A group of senior public health, policy and education practitioners from across many different sectors came together in June to discuss the importance of health literacy in primary education.  This was a highly interactive event and well supported by all participants. 

 
Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of RSPH, welcomed everybody to the session and conveyed the RSPH’s support for developing a practical approach to health literacy. He was joined by Dr Selwyn Hodge, Chairman of the Society, who explained why he has adopted health literacy as the theme for his chairmanship. He clearly articulated his personal passion for health literacy and the need to develop a high-quality practical approach to embedding the concept in primary school education. 
 
After hearing from Andrew Carter OBE (head teacher and national adviser on head teacher leadership) about the role and purpose of primary education,  the participants were encouraged to consider  the many different ways of thinking about health literacy. This included decoding information, the acquisition of knowledge and tools, skills, keeping healthy and well, and personal development, nurturing.  The challenge for participants was to discuss whether it was possible to articulate a practical definition of health literacy including some or all of these elements. 
 
The concept of a health literacy ‘journey’ was also discussed, as were the key health, social, educational and economic benefits of early health education. It was agreed that our understanding of the meaning of health literacy and context determine our beliefs about its benefits and also how we as a society value it.
 
Participants were asked to suggest benefits under these category headings and propose additional categories, based on the following discussion questions:
 
a) What does your organisation believe are the benefits of early exposure to health education? Why?
 
b) Are you aware of any evidence or research to measure the impact of early exposure to information about health and well-being determinants on future health choices? Is your organisation involved in any work to determine or evaluate the benefits of health literacy?
 
The seminar then looked at the current policy context and the potential opportunities and challenges for health literacy in primary education:
 

1. The Health and Education White Papers
2. Recognition of the need for joined up working on public health and education
3. The Curriculum and PSHE reviews
4. The focus on teacher quality and employment based training and teaching schools

 
Participants were also asked to consider the challenges in developing a national approach to health literacy at primary level as well as considering what health literacy projects are already underway.
 
The group finally agreed that going forward the immediate actions included the need to understand some of the policy drivers in more detail and evaluating the available opportunities and/or forming a campaigning alliance.  A meeting was also suggested for early 2012 to look at progress.  For further details or to contribute to our work in supporting health literacy in primary education please contact Nelly Araujo on 0207 2657 322.