Considerations and implications of the Whole-of-society approach to health literacy enhancement

Objectives: The aim of this study is to introduce an approach for building a health-literate society beyond the individual and organizational level and review the role of policy decision makers as factors influencing a society. Methods: This study was conducted by reviewing the literature on health literacy published after 2000. ‘Health literacy’, ‘system or society’, ‘leadership’, and ‘policy maker’ were used as search terms. Results: For improvement of health literacy in Korea, the following should be considered: 1) a vertical governance between planning and execution actors, 2) a horizontal governance between sectors, 3) active advocacy for policy makers, 4) feedback mechanism to monitoring results, 5) a person-centered service and environment, and 6) an education and training program for the workforce. Conclusion: Investment in the health literacy on a national and social level is more sustainable than changes in the behavior of individuals, since and organizational literacy and flexibility respond to changes in external environments. As for the Whole-of-society approach, follow-up studies are needed. Systemic elements for a health-literate society, which are leadership, human resources, financial investment, partnerships, and cooperation network, should be prepared in a detailed action plan in Health Plan 2030 (HP2030), Korea.