Note From the Editor

This is the fourth supplement of the Journal of Health Communication dedicated to health literacy—a special issue covering a variety of topics that are multidisciplinary in nature including the sociomedical sciences, public health, communication, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. This special issue, along with the growing publications in the field from peer-reviewed to applied health literacy for multiple publics, attests to progress that has been made and the impact research ultimately has on health consumers and patients globally.

The fact that the role of health literacy in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is explicitly in the actual law and subsequently linked with the implementation of the ACA demonstrates the value of the research and emphasis of researchers in the field of health literacy. Further, beyond the borders of the United States, countries are implementing programs in health literacy such as the Irish activities highlighted in this issue.

Global bodies also are recognizing the potential of health literacy. The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in its 2009 ECOSOC Ministerial Declaration on Health Literacy (United Nations Economic and Social Council, 2010) stated: “We stress that health literacy is an important factor in ensuring significant health outcomes and in this regard, call for the development of appropriate action plans to promote health literacy.” Additional health declarations have been made at the multisectoral level, including the 2011 UN General Assembly (UNGA) political declaration on noncommunicable diseases: “[member states should] develop, strengthen and implement as appropriate, multisectoral public policies and action plans to promote health education and health literacy, including evidence-based education and information strategies and programmes in and out of schools, and through public awareness campaigns.”

The 2012 UNICEF report Committing to Child Survival: A Promise Renewed highlights a number of studies that demonstrate the value of maternal education. A systematic analysis of 175 countries between 1970 and 2009 published in The Lancet (Gakidou, Cowling, Lozano, & Murray, 2010) indicates that more than half of recent reductions in child deaths are linked to gains in women's educational attainment. Further, research has confirmed that education has a positive impact on an entire community's well-being, not just a child's health. National governments, international agencies, foundations, and the United Nations system continue to persevere with political momentum and focused effort, in pursuit of the global good.

In 2015, the world will re-invigorate the Millennium Development Goals with a new framework. As health is an underlying factor in the shared vision of global well-being, prosperity and poverty reduction, the post-2015 agenda could include health literacy as the foundation for sustainable social, economic, and environmental development.

In my role as co-chair of the United Nations Innovation Working Group on Women and Children's health, I have edited and submitted our contribution that the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals should advance health literacy among a promising operational framework. Opportunities exist to advance this “new synergistic sustainable objective” that increases health literacy (the capacity of individuals to obtain, interpret, and understand basic health information and services necessary for appropriate health decision-making).

Health literacy bridges multiple agendas and interests a holistic, interdisciplinary, unifying approach with cross-sector cooperation potential. Both public and private organizations can engage at multiple levels to advance health outcomes, education, and enabling people to make “smart choices.” In turn, ministries and governments can make better decisions about health policies, programs, and access for their citizenry. New technologies can reach everyone, with an extra return on investment for women and girls to meet sustainable development objectives. As healthy decision-making is the foundation of successful health outcomes, health literacy empowers individuals to communicate and make decisions that enhance their own health and the health of family members. It also helps to establish a foundation of support when accessing appropriate services and preventive care. I look forward to continuing to advance the ideas and the spirit of health literacy with the Journal of Health Communication and my multiple related roles, with a commitment to advance health and well-being globally.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Scott C. Ratzan

Scott C. Ratzan is Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives.