International Health Literacy Association
The theme of the Summit, Health Literacy for All shows the commitment by the
global stakeholders in responding to new challenges of inequalities and inequity. It
is imperative to think beyond the individual personal state of well-being, but also
the relationship health literacy holds on an organizational level. Health should be
regarded as an objective of economic development. “Health Literacy for All” is a
holistic concept calling for efforts beyond medicine and public health, encouraging
all sectors to be involved to enhance a fresh view of viewing health. Health
literacy is a public health challenge we cannot neglect. We must act as health
literacy champions to advance health for all.
The Sustainable Development Goals are designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a
better and more sustainable future for all” by representatives from academia,
intergovernmental organizations, civil societies, and NGOs. It is an ambitious and
universal “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” which includes 17
goals, 169 targets and 231 initial indicators to ensure that all people can fulfil their
potential – to live in health and with dignity and equality. At the 9th Global
Conference on Health Promotion, Shanghai 2016, health literacy was stressed in
the declaration as an important factor to ensure significant health outcomes
–designed as a powerful tool in health promotion. In this session, we call on the
SDG community to recognize the importance of health literacy. What is the role of
health literacy in the SDGs? What kind of work has been done so far? How do we
ensure that no one is left behind? What are our next steps?