Global Health Diplomacy: Advancing Health Literacy World Health Communication Associates World Health Organization - Geneva 18 May 2009 Scott C. Ratzan, MD, MPA Vice 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 Organization Preamble 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 Organization Preamble 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, 2000 USDHHS, Healthy People 2010 Institute of Medicine, 2006

Health Literacy Framework Skills/Ability Demands/Complexity

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 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 institutions Academic 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 sector Funding, 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 media Press outlets (TV, Radio, Newspaper, Magazine) Online outlets (Yahoo, Message boards) Public forum and information -data dissemination -public feedback and discussion Government Health Ministry, Public Health Officials, State and local governments Legislation and policy Direct funding

Possible engagement with the United Nations and health literacy Monograph (September 2009) ECOSOC Meeting on Promoting Health Literacy (Beijing, April 2009) + ECOSOC Meeting on NCDs in the Middle-East (Qatar, May 2009) + ECOSOC High Level Segment on Global Health (Geneva, 6-8 July 2009) UN General Assembly High 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 THANK YOU! Our suggested engagement with health diplomacy