Dr. Gerardine Doyle, UCD Business Schools & Chairperson of the Crystal Clear Awards Judging Panel

“Research in health literacy is in its infancy in Ireland and in Europe. Research is essential because it impacts upon equity and access to health services. There are clear economic consequences of low health literacy and the increased incidence of chronic health conditions requires patient empowerment; so that citizens can self-manage their health.

The European Union’s obligation under Treaty Article 152 is that ‘all Community actions and activities shall contribute towards a high level of health protection’. In working to ensure a high level of health protection and given the relevance of the issue of health literacy, the European Commission has agreed to finance a project that will provide a comprehensive snapshot of the present situation in the Member States.

The project aims to develop a European Health Literacy Survey and was selected for funding under the Public Health Programme in 2007. It will contribute to elaborate on the concept of health literacy, looking at health literacy in various European regions and cultures, the related policy strategies and working structures, and the overall social, economic and political impact. It will contribute to increase the evidence available for policy makers to support action.

We encourage you to explore this important research topic and we welcome your contributions to the portal. We also welcome the entry of your research proposals for the Crystal Clear MSD Health Literacy Awards 2010 into whichever of the categories is most relevant.

Click here to read articles by Dr Gerardine Doyle on the issue of health literacy and in relation to the doctoral study at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Click here to read Dr Gerardine Doyle's article in the Irish Medical Times on the risks poor literacy poses for patients.

If you are aware of any research projects on health literacy which you feel may be of interest to other visitors to this site please email info@healthliteracy.ie.