Health Literacy Program

Health literacy is a significant issue across the North Coast. Healthy North Coast’s Health Needs Assessment identifies that the region has an over-representation of people at higher risk of low health literacy, including people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, older people, people living with chronic disease, people with lower levels of education, reduced access to digital services, and a larger Aboriginal population compared with NSW overall. Community consultations found that many people struggle to navigate the health system, understand health information, access the right services and know where to seek help. Difficulties understanding health information, medications and health service pathways can contribute to poorer health outcomes, reduced use of preventive health services and increased demand on the health system. The Northern NSW Health Literacy Program addresses these challenges by improving the accessibility of health information, strengthening communication practices and supporting health services to create easier-to-understand and easier-to-navigate care environments.

The Northern NSW Health Literacy Program uses a whole-of-system approach guided by the Northern NSW Health Literacy Framework. The program works with health professionals, health services and partner organisations to improve the way health information is developed, communicated and delivered. Activities focus on building workforce capability, embedding health literacy into organisational systems and processes, improving the quality and accessibility of consumer health information, and supporting services to create health environments that are easier to understand and navigate. The program provides education, advice, resource review and implementation support to improve health literacy practice across primary care and the broader health system.

The Northern NSW Health Literacy Program has been developed and refined through a long-standing partnership between Healthy North Coast and Northern NSW Local Health District. The Northern NSW Health Literacy Framework was co-designed with health professionals and consumers and is informed by ongoing engagement with healthcare providers, community members and people with lived experience. Consumer perspectives are incorporated into the review of health information resources, service improvement activities and health literacy initiatives to ensure information and services are accessible, relevant and responsive to community needs

Deliver health literacy education, training and professional development activities for primary care clinicians, support staff and health service providers.

Provide advice, consultation and implementation support to improve health literacy practice across primary care and health services.

Review consumer health information and resources against recognised health literacy standards.

Support services and organisations to develop and implement health literacy improvement initiatives.

Promote the inclusion of health literacy principles within organisational objectives, policies, communications and service delivery processes.

Support implementation of the Northern NSW Health Literacy Framework and associated best-practice approaches.

Facilitate consumer engagement and co-design activities to improve the accessibility and usability of health information and services.

Improve access to health information that is easy to find, understand and act on.

Increase the capability of clinicians, support staff and health services to apply health literacy best practice.

Improve the quality and accessibility of health information used across primary care and health services.

Support organisations to embed health literacy principles into policies, processes, communications and service delivery.

Create health service environments that are easier for people to understand and navigate.

Enable people, families and carers to make informed decisions about their health and healthcare.

Improve health outcomes, care experiences and equity across Northern NS