Prosperity and health literacy go hand in hand

MONTREAL, June 10 /CNW Telbec/ - An international panel on health literacy says health literacy is linked to economic recovery and prosperity. The panel discussion was held today at the International Economic Forum of the Americas/Conference of Montreal in collaboration with the Canadian Council on Learning (http://www.ccl-cca.ca/ccl).

Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to access and use health information to make appropriate health decisions and maintain basic health. Health literacy can have a direct impact on the social and economic well-being of individuals and Canadians.

"Improving the ability of Canadians to understand and use health information not only strengthens health outcomes, it also contains health care costs," says Dr. Paul Cappon, President and CEO of the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL). "And containing health-care costs plays a key role in sustaining economic recovery and prosperity."

"The ability to understand information about health is one of the most important ways we can care for our families and remain autonomous as we grow older. That is why, throughout the developed and developing world, health literacy has become such a significant priority."

    
    Panelists included:

    Paul Cappon, Moderator, President and CEO, CCL - Health Literacy Maps of
    Canada

    Diane Lamarre, Chair, Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec - How can we
    improve Health Literacy?

    T. Scott Murray, President, DataAngel Policy Research - How do we assess
    the Health Literacy of individuals and communities?

    Émilie Rénahy, Epidemiologist, McGill University - Why is Health Literacy
    Important?

    Linda Shohet, Founder and Director, The Centre for Literacy of Quebec -
    How does overall literacy affect Health Literacy?

    Nosa Orobaton, Deputy Executive Secretary, Health Metrics Network - Why
    does the World Health Organization consider Health Literacy crucial
    world-wide?
    

CCL has produced health literacy maps of Canada. These maps show the level of understanding and use of health information for more than 49,000 communities and neighbourhoods across Canada. To view CCL's interactive online map, visit www.ccl-cca.ca/healthliteracy.

About CCL

The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit corporation. Its mandate is to provide evidence-based information to Canadians so they can make the best decisions about learning throughout all stages of life, from early childhood through to the senior years.

For further information: Caroline Liguori, [phone], [email protected], www.ccl-cca.ca