5.K. Scientific session: Health literacy in Ireland: A participatory action approach with Sláintecare Healthy Communities
Authors:   Organised by: Dublin City University (Ireland),   Chair persons: Hannah Goss (Ireland), Talent Nyamakope (Ireland)
Published: October 2024

This workshop offers a comprehensive exploration of the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities surrounding health literacy in Ireland. In 2023, Dublin City University and Sláintecare Healthy Communities, driven by a commitment to foster equitable healthcare access and outcomes, embarked on a research project aimed at deciphering the intricacies of health literacy and its implications for public health in Ireland. The series of interactive presentations will transparently share learnings from the process and outcomes of this project, which can be applied across different sectors, contexts, and countries. The workshop will begin with an overview of the rationale underpinning Sláintecare Healthy Communities’ engagement in this research project. This is one of the first pilot programmes of its kind. By transparently exploring the driving forces and strategic approaches of this organisation, participants will gain insight into the imperative of addressing health literacy from the perspective of a cross-government and multi-discipline initiative. Following from this, a series of presentations will detail the rigorous scientific approaches undertaken. This includes an umbrella review of international conceptualisations of health literacy and a systematic review of health literacy research conducted on the island of Ireland in the last decade. Findings from these reviews highlight the evolving challenges and emerging trends shaping health literacy practices nationally and internationally. It is also recognised that responsive health literacy development requires thoughtful involvement of diverse local communities. Programmes and actions that ‘leave people behind’ can exacerbate health inequalities. As a result, meaningful community based participatory research, including innovative design thinking approaches, were utilised throughout this project. The Sláintecare Healthy Communities Programme identified two contrasting areas to participate in this work, presenting both an urban and rural context. The health literacy strengths, needs and issues encountered in these communities will be presented in the community members own words. This workshop will close with the presentation of a series of co-designed, and crucially actionable, recommendations for evidence-based best practices in health literacy promotion in Ireland. Leveraging the synthesis of research findings and stakeholder insights, a number of actions aimed at enhancing health literacy proficiency and fostering health equity will be detailed. This presentation in particular will be interactive, and will challenge participants to identify health literacy promoting actions that may be suitable for their own contexts. This workshop offers a timely and pragmatic exploration of health literacy promotion in Ireland. By fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, the workshop serves as a catalyst for transformative change, paving the way towards more inclusive, equitable, and health-literate societies, both in Ireland and beyond.

Key messages

• This workshop offers a timely and pragmatic exploration of health literacy promotion in Ireland.

• Presenters from both practice and research will detail how the needs analysis was conducted, and how we suggest these co-designed recommendations can be actioned.