Summary:

The main priority of the PHILIP Project is to raise awareness that health is a fundamental human right and should therefore be protected and improved from early childhood when the effect of education achieves the greatest success. International research studies show that across Europe there are high percentages of pupils 11-15 that declare themselves to be health illiterate and show difficulties in understanding and following the instructions from doctors and cannot evaluate health information. Health literacy is an important topic to address, as it does not only have a personal significance for each individual but is also beneficial to society as a whole. Low health literacy leads to poorer health, more frequent visits to health care facilities, and therefore higher costs of health care. In addition, making pupils more health literacy independent will allow them to avoid risks for their health and that of others. Given the extent and importance of the impact of ignorance in the field of health literacy in many aspects of human life, both for the individual and the whole population, it is necessary to prioritize the promotion of health protection from childhood. The key role for the development of health literacy belongs especially to schools and all educational institutions, which are the most equipped to improve the current situation by including the topic in educational programs. Therefore, the support and development of activities aimed at increasing the level of health literacy among adolescents are more than necessary.

Objectives:

The main goal of PHILIP is to contribute, in cooperation with the partner organizations, to increase the health literacy levels of pupils between the age of 11-15. At the same time by including interviews with those who address or encounter the effects of insufficient education of children in the field of health literacy, it will be possible to create modules targeted both to the needs of children that aimed at helping teachers tackling the content of health literacy properly. This will allow forming not just the pupils but also educators, in order to give life to interactive and innovative educational programs, enhancing the awareness towards health information.