Global Health Diplomacy:Advancing Health Literacy

World Health Communication Associates

World Health Organization - Geneva

18 May 2009

Scott C. Ratzan, MD, MPAVice President, Global Health

Government Affairs

Johnson & Johnson

                                                             

“The extension to all peoples of the benefits of medical, psychological and related knowledge is essential to the fullest attainment of health.”

World Health OrganizationPreamble to the

Constitution

Our Goal: Health for the public good

Issues likely to cost society can be addressed with health diplomacy

Pandemics

Chronic disease in developed countries

Developing world disease

Apply our evidence-based approach with Communication

• Over 12 years of research in the peer reviewed Journal of Health Communication had measurable outcomes with communication affecting:

– Knowledge– Attitudes– Awareness– Practices– Perceptions– Intentions– Behavior change, and– Social Change

“Informed opinion and active cooperation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of health of the people.”

World Health OrganizationPreamble to the Constitution

The Opportunity to Advance Health: Health Literacy for the public good

Health Literacy Health Literacy is “the degree to which

individuals have the capacity to obtain,

process, and understand basic health

information and services needed to make

appropriate health decisions.”

Ratzan and Parker, NLM Complete Bibliographies

of Medicine, 2000USDHHS, Healthy People 2010

Institute of Medicine, 2006

Health Literacy Framework

Pediatric health literacy -- US

• “Most children and their caregivers [could] benefit from a set of health literacy skills adequate to meet common preventive needs (e.g nutrition, development, home safety, vision and lead screening, immunizations.) AND

•common acute health needs (e.g. Fever, dehydration, upper respiratory tract infections, sexually transmitted infections)”

Source: Source: Sanders LM et al., Literacy and child health: a systematic review. Archive of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Feb. 2009

And Benard Dreyer, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2009

Health Literacy – OECD, EU, US

1. What do we do to stay healthy? • Key areas and numbers: immunizations, blood

levels (glucose, cholesterol), weight, blood pressure), etc.

2. If we are sick, how can we get better?• Can you do quality self care; screening?• Do you rely on the system for health decisions

3. If we are living with illness, how do we

get effective medical care? • Knowledge, information and practice

Health Literacy Scorecard: Globally- Developing and transitional economies

1. What do we do to stay healthy? • Key areas and numbers: body mass index in

range, mineral/salt, immunizations, weight, blood pressure, etc.

• Do I or my family/friends smoke cigarettes?

2. If we are sick, how can we get better?• Can I recognize and understand

signs/symptoms?• When do I seek a health service worker advise?

3. If we are living with illness, how do we get effective medical care?

• Knowledge, information and practice

Measure Health Literacy “what gets measured gets done”

• Incorporate health literacy with

measurable items • Link to global, regional and national

efforts to measure health quality, disparities, and cost

CONCLUSION..

Efforts to impact global health requires health diplomacy

Heqlth diplomacy for children’s

health

Medical sector and research institutionsAcademic institutions, physician associations, individual doctors

• Testing and patient diagnosis• Appropriate treatment and care• Disease management

- hospital and pharmaceutical firms• Research

- epidemiology- scientific and clinical - social

International health associations and organizations (WHO, IDF, World Economic Forum, etc)

• International standard setting- guidelines, protocols- best practice

• Technical assistance• Funding• International coalition building

Private sectorFunding, individuals

• Corp. employee engagement - education and financial support

• Corp in-kind support

Foundations, NGOs• Financial support• Grass roots intervention

- initiate and sustain community action• Lobbying and advising government• Service delivery

Mass mediaPress outlets (TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine)Online outlets (Yahoo, Message boards)

• Public forum and information- data dissemination- public feedback and discussion

GovernmentHealth Ministry, Public Health Officials, State and local governments

• Legislation and policy• Direct funding

Possible engagement with the

United Nations and health literacy - 2009

Monograph(September 2009)

ECOSOC Meeting on Promoting Health Literacy(Beijing, 29-30 April 2009)

+ECOSOC Meeting on NCDs in the Middle-East

(Qatar, 10-11 May 2009)+

ECOSOC High Level Segment on Global Health(Geneva, 6-8 July 2009)

UN General AssemblyHigh Level Discussion on Health

(New York,June 2009)

ECOSOC Outcome Report at General Assembly for action under provisions of a resolution on “Global Health and Foreign Policy” (September 2009)

WHCA

For more information:

Scott Ratzan MD

Sratzan2@its.jnj.com

THANK YOU!

Our suggested engagement with health diplomacy