Health Literacy Surveys (HLS)

WHO’s Health Literacy: The solid facts underlines the importance of regular comparative health literacy surveys in Europe. The Health Literacy Survey 2019-2021 (HLS₁₉) was therefore the first project of M-POHL. Its aim was to measure population health literacy across the WHO European Region. 

To establish a regular monitoring of health literacy in the WHO European Region, M-POHL has committed to conduct health literacy surveys every five years. The next population health literacy survey, the Health Literacy Survey 2024-2026 (HLS₂₄), will allow countries that already participated in HLS₁₉ to compare with HLS₂₄ results and new countries to initiate measuring population health literacy in their county. All countries in the WHO European Region are welcome to participate in HLS₂₄, but also countries outside the WHO European Region can participate as associated partners. For more information see HLS₂₄ and the HLS₂₄ Factsheet.