A look at health literacy around the world

Hand washing is recognised as the simplest, most important, and least expensive means of reducing the prevalence of healthcare-associated illnesses and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Data from UNICEF highlighted alarming hygiene practices across India. It was reported that each year, more than three million children in India under the age of five-years-old die from diarrhoeal diseases.

After recognising these figures, Dettol Banega Swasth India launched the Dettol School Hygiene Education Programme, focusing on key learning goals taught in children’s foundation years, which includes knowledge of self-care and health and bodily awareness.

The main idea behind the programme is to engrain healthy hygiene practices from an early age, so children will not only gain the skills to keep themselves safe and healthy, but they can also take the lessons they have learnt home with them and share their wisdom. The programme curriculum has also been adapted to be taught at religious institutions.

The programme has reached 20 million children across India. The results of the programme have been significant in not only reducing cases of diarrhea among children by 14.2 per cent, but it has also boosted school attendance by 17 per cent.

In partnership with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), we are currently sponsoring a programme of digital educational events for pharmacists across the world. Under of the theme of “Shaping the future of self-care through pharmacy”, the events look to support pharmacists in their gatekeeper role as the most accessible and free source of healthcare advice for patients covering a wide range of topics including health literacy and appropriate management in medicine choice.

The programme focuses on how community pharmacies can accelerate universal health coverage by enabling and promoting self-care to all.

So far, there have been four live online webinars reaching more than 5,000 attendees from more than 60 countries with good levels of engagement from the attendees through their questions to the panelists.

In partnership with social change charity Good Things Foundation, our eCommerce digital division, eRB spearheaded an exciting, digital-focused project in September 2020 that partnered with 15 community organisations across England.

The projected aimed to support 1,500 people and provide them with essential digital skills to help improve their digital health literacy. Good Things Foundation previously worked with the National Health Service (NHS), and developed a new model that focused on improving digital health literacy and providing access to health information through digital inclusion support in communities.

15 digital hubs were launched in response to the covid-19 pandemic. This unique set of circumstances meant digital inclusion became integral to the health and wellbeing of the country.

The digital hubs provided a safe and friendly space where support could be provided in-line with government guidance on social distancing and remotely. So far, over 650 people have been supported through the project.

• 87% of people helped feel more confident about finding information to do with health and wellbeing online
• 90% of people helped feel more confident using health services online, and
• 85% of people helped feel more informed about their health
• The digital health hubs have provided support to people who can face higher barriers to accessing health services — such as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people on lower incomes, people with disabilities and older people.

The scheme’s success has proved that digital inclusion can improve health and wellbeing significantly by enabling people to take control of their health and care, and access trusted information and services.