Structure & Members

M-POHL structure

M-POHL is a network of member countries from the WHO-European Region under the auspices of WHO-Europe. Associated membership and observer status are possible. The network is represented by two co-chairs, one co-chair represents policy interests, and one represents research interests. An international coordination center (ICC) coordinates and administrates the activities of M-POHL in cooperation with the co-chairs and the Advisory Board. In the Governance and Work Structure of M-POHL roles, responsibilities and decision structures in M-POHL are outlined in detail. An organogram can be found here:

Organogram of M-POHL

M-POHL chairs

M-POHL is currently co-chaired by Christina Dietscher (Austrian Federal Minister of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection) and by Diane Levin-Zamir (University of Haifa, School of Public Health and Clalit Health Services).

Anastasia Koylyu is M-POHLs health literacy contact at the WHO/Europe.

M-POHL Advisory Board

M-POHL is supported by an Advisory Board consisting of excellent experts from research and policy. The Advisory Board advices the M-POHL co-chairs and the ICC regarding strategic, research and policy directions and on the development of theoretical and empirical aspects of its projects. The Advisory Board members are: 

  • Altyn Aringazina (Kazakhstan)
  • Henrik Bøggild (Denmark)
  • Gerardine Doyle (Ireland))
  • Christopher Le (Norway)
  • Andreja Ljubič (Slovenia)
  • Kristine Sørensen (Denmark)
  • Tamara Štemberger Kolnik (Slovenia)
  • Miguel Telo de Arriaga (Portugal)
  • Stephan Van den Broucke (Belgium). 

International Coordination Centre (ICC)

The International Coordination Centre (ICC) of M-POHL is situated within the Competence Centre Health Promotion and Healthcare of the Austrian National Public Health Institute (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH). The ICC is elected by M-POHL General Assembly for a period of 5 years.

The main contact persons at the ICC are Christa Straßmayr for the coordination of M-POHL and its projects and Robert Griebler for the scientific coordination of the M-POHL projects.

M-POHL Partners 

M-POHL brings together health researchers, health policy makers, and health administrators. Member countries typically participate with two positions: 

  • a representative from research
  • a representative from health policy or health administration. 

This enables dialogue between these perspectives. These representatives are part of the M-POHL General Assembly, which convenes twice a year to discuss progress and to jointly decide on next steps. This continuous collaboration increases a broader understanding of health literacy, supports health literacy’s momentum, and assists the planning of specific health literacy activities and interventions in respective countries.

M-POHL is open to all member states of WHO-Europe. Associated membership for non-WHO European countries is possible. In the Governance and Work Structure of M-POHL details on becoming a member, associated member and observer are outlined. M-POHL has currently (as of 2024) 27 participating member countries, 2 observing countries from the WHO European Region, and in addition observers from Asian countries. 

M-POHL Countries

Austria

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Belgium

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Bulgaria

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Czech Republic

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Denmark

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Estonia

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France

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Germany

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Hungary

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Ireland

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Israel

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Italy

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Kazakhstan

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Moldova

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Netherlands

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Norway

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Portugal

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Russian Federation

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Serbia

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Slovakia

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Slovenia

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Spain

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Sweden

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Switzerland

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Turkey

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Ukraine

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United Kingdom

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