Health Literacy

We are committed to exploring and improving the health literacy of the Swiss population. The results of the Health Literacy Survey Switzerland 2019-21 are now condensed into factsheets. They also show Switzerland in international comparison. Two reports on coronavirus-related health literacy are also available.

Improving Health literacy

Health literacy refers to the ability of the individual to take decisions in daily life that have a positive impact on health. It needs to be promoted by the creation of appropriate structural conditions. Strengthening the health literacy of the population is an aim of the Federal Council's Health2030 strategy.

Optimising the information provided to the public should help people move more efficiently in the healthcare system, better prevent illnesses and manage their health with greater care. We also support efforts to improve the health literacy of disadvantaged target groups living in Switzerland. Health and social care professionals play a central role in this.

Concept on health literacy

Concept paper

On behalf of the FOPH, Careum Center for Health Literacy has developed a «Concept paper on health literacy». This publication is the result of a broad literature review as well as a process of discussions and exchanges with experts representing the three main linguistic regions. It is intended to contribute to the development of a common understanding of health literacy in Switzerland and will be the basis for future activities.

• Concept paper on health literacy

  The concept of health literacy has constantly evolved in the past years, giving rise to a number of definitions and conceptualizations. A common and shared understanding of the concept is needed for its application in research, practice and policy.

  • Concept paper on health literacy

    PDF3.72 MB20 March 2024

  Further information: Konzeptpapier zur Gesundheitskompetenz  (only in German)

Fact sheet and video

Based on the concept paper, a fact sheet and an explanatory video on the Swiss understanding of health literacy have been published.

The fact sheet is available for download on the Careum website: Fact sheet «The Swiss understanding of health literacy»

The video is available in English, German, French and Italian.

Health literacy factsheets

The main results of the Swiss Health Literacy Survey 2019-21 are now collected in the following five factsheets:

• Switzerland in international comparison

  Health literacy can be improved in various areas in Switzerland. Current research data show this in an international comparison.

  Factsheet Health Literacy: How Switzerland compares with other countries:

  • How Switzerland compares with other countries

    PDF1.09 MB8 May 2023

  Information from Careum on this topic (in German)
  

• Health literacy in Switzerland

  Health literacy in Switzerland. Health Literacy Survey Switzerland 2019-21 (factsheet):

  • Health literacy in Switzerland

    PDF375.30 kB6 July 2022

• Digital health literacy

  Digital health literacy. Health Literacy Survey Switzerland 2019-21 (factsheet):

  • Digital health literacy

    PDF523.16 kB6 July 2022

• Navigational health literacy

  Navigational health literacy. Health Literacy Survey Switzerland 2019-21 (factsheet):

  • Navigational health literacy

    PDF390.88 kB6 July 2022

• Self-management skills

  Self-management skills. Health Literacy Survey Switzerland 2019-21 (factsheet):

  • Self-management skills

    PDF355.86 kB6 July 2022

  More information: Self-management support in case of non-communicable diseases, addiction and mental illness (in German, French or Italian)
  

Swiss Health Literacy Survey 2019-21

Switzerland participated in an international survey on the health literacy of its population. This survey took place simultaneously in other countries of the WHO Europe region. The results were published in the form of a national report. They are also designed to serve as the basis for future measures.

• Report on the Swiss Health Literacy Survey 2019-21

  • Swiss Health Literacy Survey 2019-21

    PDF2.80 MB11 April 2023

  Report in German with updated recommendations and with integrated summary in English, French and Italian.

• Additional analyses Swiss Health Literacy Survey 2019-21

  Swiss Health Literacy Survey 2019-21: short report with additional analyses (only in German).

  • Additional analyses HLS Switzerland 2019-21

    PDF3.22 MB11 April 2023

• Online presentation: Our health literacy

  Health Literacy Survey Switzerland 2019-21: the results have been presented and discussed for the first time in a webinar on 10 September 2021.

  Film: Aktuelle Daten zur Gesundheitskompetenz in der Schweiz - extracts from the webinar (in German).

Health literacy and the COVID-19 pandemic

In addition to surveys on health literacy in general, the FOPH and partner organisations are also investigating the coronavirus-related health literacy of the population as a whole and of migrants in Switzerland.

• Coronavirus-related health literacy of the migrant population

  This study (in French; with executive summaries in German and English) provides information on the health literacy of the migrant population in Switzerland during the COVID-19 pandemic (in the last quarter of 2020). Drawn up in seven languages, the survey targeted migrants who are particularly vulnerable due to their residence status, their command of the (local) language and their financial situation.

  • Migrationsbevölkerung Gesundheitskompetenz und Covid19

    PDF1.89 MB11 May 2021

  Please also note the FCM magazine terra cognita on the subject of "Coronavirus: Impact on migration" (in German, French or Italian).

• Coronavirus-related health literacy of the Swiss population

  A study on the health literacy of the Swiss population in relation to the novel coronavirus. Conducted in May 2020, this online survey investigated how information on the novel coronavirus was found, understood, evaluated and used to help people behave in a preventive and health-promoting manner. Almost half of the population found it difficult at that time to process coronavirus-related information and did not know exactly what information they could trust. 
  

  • Corona-bezogene Gesundheitskompetenz

    PDF616.68 kB7 October 2020

  Study in German with French summary.

Further information:
Strengthening health literacy of disadvantaged groups

Older studies on Health literacy

The results of the representative "Health literacy survey" in 2015 and further information can be found in German or French on the following websites:

Gesundheitskompetenz

Compétences en santé

Further topics