ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review Regional Ministerial Meeting on

ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review Regional Ministerial Meeting on Promoting Health Literacy Beijing, China 29 -30 April 2009 Building capacity to increase health literacy K C Tang, Scientist - Health Promotion, WHO Geneva

Outline l What type of capacity building activities are needed? l What skills and support do health practitioners need? l How can various stakeholders increase health literacy? 2|

What types of activities Workforce capacity Organizational capacity 3| Community capacity

Workforce capacity Two focal concerns l No shortage of practitioners l High level of competency among practitioners 4|

Workforce capacity Competency standards for practitioners l Plan health promotion and education actions l Build partnership l Empower community l Market healthy practices l Manage activities l Develop self and other professional's competency (NSW Dept of Health 1994) 5|

Outcome of increased competency (1) Dear Parent (as addressed), Council records indicated that Natasha Stevens is due/overdue for the following vaccination: TRIPLE ANTIGEN POLIOMYELITIS MEASLES/MUMPS 1 ST 2 ND 3 RD CUT 2 ND 3 RD 4 TH TRIPLE BOOSTER Please present your child with this card for vaccination at the Lower Civic Hall at 2: 20 PM on 14 th Dec. If unable to attend or wish to change the appointment date, or you do not intend to continue, continuing elsewhere or changing address. Please contact the HEALTH DEPARTMENT, TOWNHALL, STUART STREET, BALLARAT. PHONE 313277 6| (Hawe et al 1998)

Outcome of increased competency (2) Dear Mrs Stevens, MEASLES is still a problem, in BALLARAT, particularly for children aged under the age of 2 years. Some children suffer severe complications. The children who are most likely to catch measles are those who have not been immunized. Immunization is very effective. There is almost no chance of side effects. Clinics are held at the Lower Civic Hall in Main Street from 2 -3: 40 PM EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY. Immunization is free! The next clinic is on Wednesday 14 December. If Natasha is not yet immunized against the measles you should bring him along. Regards. Bob Scurry Health 7 | Department Enquires: PH 313277 (Hawe et al 1998)

Outcome of increased competency (3) Results 1 st week 3 rd week 5 th week Usual card HBM card 40 49 57 68 67 79 % changed 9 11 12 8|

Organizational capacity The capacity of MOH to promote health l Expertise of individual practitioners is necessary but not sufficient l Other capacity building action areas as well, including policy and plans, financing, information, partnership and delivery mechanisms 9|

Strengthening health systems Service delivery Information Leadership and governance Financing WHR 2007 10 | Human resources Medicines & technology

Policy focus within government Partnership focus within government Core of expertise Policies and Plans A B Collaborative mechanisms within Government C D E Health promotion financing F Information systems Professional Development Policy focus | 11 government outside Program Delivery Partnerships among NGOs, private sector and government Partnership focus outside government

Organizational capacity SADC Capacity Building Programme 12 |

Organizational capacity Health promotion financing l Special levy on products l Mandatory funding from general revenue l Payments from health insurance funds l Payments from social insurance schemes l A set percentage from national health budget l Grants and loans from aid organizations 13 |

An example of building organizational capacity l Advocate for expanding the finance base l Assist in the setting up Health Promotion Foundations l Develop a measure to determine health promotion spending in national health accounts l Explore the possibility of inclusion of a health promotion component in social health insurance schemes 14 |

Community capacity Knowledge About community Problem Solving ability 15 | Participation Commitment Community facilities Literacy

An example of Building community capacity l Increase health literacy through improved knowledge, adherence and access to anti retroviral treatment of opportunistic infection among people living with HIV/AIDs in Thailand (Aree Kumphitak et al 2004) 16 |

An example of Building community capacity l Health education l Mutual support l Participation in the delivery of treatment & care l Availability of quality and affordable medicines (Aree Kumphitak et al 2004) 17 |

What knowledge & skills are required l A workforce with the right skills mixed - teachers, communications experts, social and political scientists, engineers, lawyers and managers 18 |

What knowledge & skills are required l Health Care System – improved access l Government – regulatory role l Society – support for individuals' role in home based care l Media – access to reliable, understandable information l Education – school, adult and professional education l Business – employee health and safety programme (IOM Roundtable on HL, 2006) 19 |

How to increase HL by stakeholders (1) Govt / Civil Society / Media / Industry / Universities etc l Support research / policy analysis l Provide seed funding for sustained action l Synthesize evidence and compile technical guides l Set up demonstration projects l Train the trainers l Undertake responsible marketing l Provide quality and affordable medicines 20 |