National Health Literacy Strategy Framework Consultation

Overview

The National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030 outlines Australia’s overarching, long-term approach to prevention. The aim of the National Preventive Health Strategy is to create a sustainable prevention system for all Australians, with a particular focus on the wider determinants of health, reducing health inequity and addressing the increasing burden of disease. This will help all Australians live in good health and wellbeing for as long as possible.

The development of the National Health Literacy Strategy is one of eight immediate priorities under the National Preventive Health Strategy. Health literacy refers to how people understand information about health and health care, and how they apply that information to their lives, use it to make decisions and act on it. It is determined both by the skills and abilities of individuals as well as the demands and complexity of the environment.

The objective of the National Health Literacy Strategy is to provide an evidence-based health literacy environment, where health information is person-centred, accessible and culturally and linguistically appropriate, and to improve health literacy skills of all Australians.

Improving the health literacy environment for all Australians will offer a critical platform for the long-term success of the National Preventive Health Strategy. It will lead to improved navigation of the preventive health system, improved service delivery and a reduced burden on the health system.

Purpose and scope of this Consultation Paper: This paper describes a draft framework that will form the building blocks for the National Health Literacy Strategy. This framework has been developed based on feedback gathered through consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders and consumers, and reviews of national and international evidence of what works.

PLEASE NOTE: The Consultation Paper can be found at the bottom of the page under the 'Related' heading. Please ensure you have read the paper in full before you provide feedback.

Why your views matter

The purpose of this consultation is to seek stakeholder and community feedback on the draft framework for the National Health Literacy Strategy. The diverse perspectives, experiences and knowledge of all stakeholders and interested members of the community are valued and respected and will contribute to the final strategy.

What happens next

Thank you for responding to the consultation paper on the draft Framework for the development of a National Health Literacy Strategy to support the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021-2030. Your feedback will be used to inform the development of the draft National Health Literacy Strategy. 

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at NPHS@health.gov.au.