Health literacy is an important issue in Ireland today. According to the International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1997, over 50% of the Irish population is affected in some way by literacy difficulties such as problems with reading, writing and numbers. In addition, the findings of a recent GP survey conducted by MSD shows that only 31% of GPs are aware that half of the Irish population have low literacy skills.

Research shows people with literacy difficulties find it difficult to read and understand many health related items such as:

• signs,
• medical advice,
• health information leaflets,
• directions on medicine packs,
• appointment cards,
• consent forms,
• prescriptions, and
• medical procedures.

As a result many people may not feel capable of making important decisions that will affect their health.

The results of an Irish survey in 2007 revealed that:

• One in five Irish people are not fully confident that they understand all of the information they receive from their healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
• 43 percent of people said they would only sometimes ask the person to clarify the information if they did not understand something their healthcare professional had said.
• One in 10 people admitted taking the wrong dose of medication because they didn't understand instructions.
• Two-thirds of people who responded to the survey also admitted to having difficulty understanding signs and directions in Irish hospitals some of the time, with one in five saying they have difficulty with the signs and directions most of the time.