Boudewijn B. Visscher|Bas Steunenberg|Monique Heijmans|J. Hofstede|W.L.J.M. Devillé|Iris van der Heide|Jany Rademakers
Evidence on the effectiveness of health literacy interventions in the EU: a systematic review
University of Applied Sciences Utrecht|University of Applied Sciences Utrecht|Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research|Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research|Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research|Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research|Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research
last decade attention health literacy increased european union due three main reasons first reviews shown inadequate health literacy associated worse health outcomes higher health care use expenditure second european countries population aging number chronically ill people rising improving health literacy group offer greater opportunities take active part society independent improve quality life third since research health literacy conducted outside europe relatively little known development health literacy interventions effects outcome measures european countries aim systematic review assess evidence effectiveness health literacy interventions european union published 1995 2018 searches performed medline pubmed embase cinahl cochrane library psychinfo eric web science scopus publications health literacy intervention studies european union countries studies included research conducted one member states european union publication described intervention study intervention aimed health literacy publication described outcome measure related health literacy publication written english french german total 23 studies included three types interventions identified aimed improving health literacy tailored different health literacy levels aimed improving health outcomes general differentiated effects people different health literacy levels interventions identified review focus functional level health literacy numeracy strength evidence european health literacy intervention studies low huge heterogeneity study design measurement tools outcomes measured promising interventions tailored needs patients addressing functional interactive critical skills use difficult animated spoken text future research focus development assessment interventions use stronger designs