The NHS Alliance: Improving health literacy in the NHS (1 October 2025)

Summary

Health literacy refers to an individual’s ability to understand and interpret information about their health status or their interactions with healthcare services. It therefore impacts the extent to which individuals can effectively access and engage with health services. 

Health literacy is also closely correlated with health inequalities. Research has found that children born in communities with significant reading challenges have particularly low life expectancy rates. In order to achieve equitable access to quality healthcare, we must address the issue of health literacy gaps. 

This guide explores what is meant by health literacy, the benefits of applying health literacy interventions, recommendations for trust board members, and case studies from five trusts that have effectively embedded interventions.