Structure & Members
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.
Overview:
M-POHL is currently co-chaired by Christina Dietscher (Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection) and by Diane Levin-Zamir (University of Haifa, School of Public Health).
Anastasia Koylyu is M-POHLs health literacy contact at the WHO/Europe.
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)
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 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 2026) 29 participating member countries, 1 observing country from the WHO European Region, and in addition observers from Asian countries.