Protection of Health by Increasing the Health Literacy of Pupils

The main priority of the PHILIP Project was to raise awareness that health is a fundamental human right and should therefore be protected and improved from early childhood when the effect of education achieves the greatest success. International research studies showed that across Europe there are high percentages of pupils 11-15 that declare themselves to be health illiterate and show difficulties in understanding and following the instructions from doctors and cannot evaluate health information. Health literacy is an important topic to address, as it does not only have a personal significance for each individual but is also beneficial to society as a whole. Low health literacy leads to poorer health, more frequent visits to health care facilities, and therefore higher costs of health care. In addition, making pupils more health literacy independent allow them to avoid risks for their health and that of others. Given the extent and importance of the impact of ignorance in the field of health literacy in many aspects of human life, both for the individual and the whole population, it is necessary to prioritize the promotion of health protection from childhood.

The main goal of PHILIP was to contribute, in cooperation with partner organizations, to increase the health literacy levels of pupils between the age of 11-15. At the same time by including interviews with those who address or encounter the effects of insufficient education of children in the field of health literacy, it was possible to create modules targeted both to the needs of children that aimed at helping teachers tackle the content of health literacy properly. This allowed forming not just the pupils but also educators, to give life to interactive and innovative educational programs, enhancing the awareness towards health information.

The purpose of the project was fulfilled through targeted activities primarily for pupils of the 2nd grade of primary schools, using the transfer of good practices, recommendations, and innovative teaching methods, and further through the implementation of educational and awareness-raising activities, contributing to the increase in consciousness of health protection as a human right. During the project, the consortium produced three main project results: Country research, Teachers' book, and Educational modules. However, five transnational project meetings were organized during the project lifetime as well as promotional events in each project country.

The project PHILIP increased the inclusion of health literacy teaching in schools’ educational programs. All the materials and tools created within the project (educational modules for primary schools and the teacher’s book) are available to the bigger public to contribute to the transmission of knowledge about health literacy across Europe. In addition to this, the project helps students to grow as independent citizens able to willingly make conscious choices about their health. Moreover, within a project implementation, a project webpage was established to disseminate project results as well as educational materials. Country analysis - A1:Quantitative research in each partner country - A2: Qualitative research in each partner country - A3: Country research report Teachers book - development of the structure of the Teachers book - development of the content - pilot testing - improvements - finalisation - translation Creation and piloting of educational modules 1. Design of the curricula regarding health literacy of pupils 2. Development of drafts of individual modules 3. Translation of the drafts 4. Creation of the final version of the modules 5. Translation of the final version of modules 6. Publication of online modules on the project website Dissemination - project webpage - newsletters - Facebook page