Health Literate Organisation

Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to access, understand and use information and services in ways that promote health and wellbeing. The Health Literate Organisation (HLO) model makes it easy for organisation’s target groups to find and use health information and services, paying attention to varying levels of health literacy. HLO model focuses on the accessibility of health information and services and strives to embed this through its policies and operations. Staff are crucial in ensuring that organisation grows in terms of accessible communication, physical and digital environments, and that special attention is given to involving users and reaching specific risk groups. Organisational and professional health literacy can be promoted by improving organisational processes and training for professionals.
The HLO model is developed based on scientific studies by The Flemish Institute for Healthy Living for health and social care organizations. It outlines steps of change trajectory: from creating support and setting priorities to planning, monitoring, and evaluating actions with guidelines and tools in 7 domains: 1) physical and digital environment 2) printed and written (educational) materials 3) oral communication 4) position of the care user 5) attention to risk groups 6) staff and teams and 7) policy vision and mission.
Each domain consists of 3 phases. The model includes a compass and a guide, which are tools that support social and health care organizations in their journey towards becoming health literate organisations. With the help of the guide, organisations go through core processes of the compass: 1) map out the current situation, 2) determine priorities and objectives, and 3) plan actions. The domains are supported by reflection sheets, score tables, and an e-learning course.
Pilot action consists of translating the materials to Finnish context and testing the HLO model in Päijät-Häme with pilot groups in different organisations.