Direction of national policy for health literacy in Korea

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Objectives: To suggest the direction of national policy for health literacy in Korea, this study compared and analyzed the health literacy policies of EU countries, China, United States, and Korea. Methods: In order to compare the health literacy policies of major countries, data on (1) general health literacy levels, (2) health literacy goals, (3) beneficiaries, (4) initiator, and (5) financial resources were collected and analyzed. Results: Although the levels of health literacy and the stage of policy development showed considerable differences among countries, the concept of health literacy and the strategies related to it have been continuously improved. In Korea, national policy for health literacy is now its infancy. Accordingly, goals and strategies need to be systematically prepared. Conclusion: The level of health literacy in Korea was estimated and the direction of national policy for health literacy was suggested. In Korea, national health literacy policies should be established to reduce health and social disparities, change structural conditions, strengthen cooperation in various fields, and enable participatory decision-making.