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Abstract(s)
A Literacia para a Saúde, parte integrante da área de Saúde Pública e Cuidados de Saúde Pri-mários, foi conceptualizada pela primeira vez nos anos 70, e tem sido alvo de múltiplas revisões ao longo do tempo. No que diz respeito ao conceito propriamente dito, ainda não existe uma definição considerada universal, tendo mesmo alguns autores criticado a sua introdução, indi-cando que o conceito seria sinónimo de outros já existentes. No entanto, a Literacia para a Saúde acabou mesmo por se transformar numa entidade independente e a sua implementação prática foi apoiada pela evidência científica, a qual aponta para modificações muito positivas, quer nos outcomes quer nos determinantes de saúde. Os métodos de mensuração da Literacia para a Saúde estão intimamente associados ao conceito, pelo que a sua viabilidade dependerá da complexidade desse mesmo conceito e das limitações de tempo disponível para o estudo. Quando o objectivo passa por intervir em adolescentes, as escolas representam um meio de excelência para a aplicação de intervenções com o intuito de promoção da saúde e da Literacia para a Saúde. Abordagens deste tipo são comuns em países como os Estados Unidos, Canadá e Austrália mas ainda raras em Portugal, sendo mais prevalentes acções de mensuração da Lite-racia para a Saúde e não intervenções directas para a sua promoção. A nível escolar, as guide-lines para uma intervenção estão descritas no Plano Nacional de Saúde Escolar (2015), com a Literacia para a Saúde como parte integrante do processo de empowerment e não uma entidade separada. Posto isto, os objectivos deste estudo centraram-se na discussão de diversos modelos conceptuais de Literacia para a Saúde e da sua relação com outros conceitos do âmbito dos Cuidados de Saúde primários (I. A evolução do conceito de Literacia para a Saúde), na análise da problemática de mensuração do conceito (II. Fundamentos da mensuração da Literacia para a Saúde), e na discussão da situação em Portugal, com a implementação do Plano Nacional de Saúde Escolar, comparativamente ao que se verifica no panorama internacional (III. Interven-ções na área da Literacia para a Saúde).
Health Literacy, an integral part of Public Health and Primary Care, was first introduced in the 70s, and has been revised and conceptualized several times since its inception. As a concept, there still is not a universal definition of Health Literacy to the extent that some authors have even criticized the definition in itself, arguing that it was synonymous to and overlapped other existing concepts. Health Literacy, however, demonstrated enough independence and im-portance in the field, that it eventually became a standalone entity, being responsible in many cases, for the implementation of programs that led to the modification of health determinants and outcomes, as verified by scientific evidence. The measurement of Health Literacy is an important step before and after the implementation of health promotion programs. However, this process is limited by time constraints and intimately influenced and linked to the complex-ity of the concept of Health Literacy used, which also influences the viability of the measuring tools. In the case of an intervention that focuses primarily on adolescents, schools probably represent the ideal environment to implement said programs and promote Health Literacy. Countries such as the United States, Canada or Australia have invested heavily on these types of programs. In Portugal such interventions are still scarce, despite the fact that the guidelines for an intervention are stipulated on the National Program for School Health. The program is very comprehensive, includes a reference to the concept of Health Literacy as a part of the empowerment process and advocates its promotion. The aims of this study include a review and establishment of a relation between the several conceptual models of Health Literacy and to relate the concept to other important concepts that are a part of Primary Care (I. The evo-lution of the concept of Health Literacy), the study of Health Literacy measurement and its shortcomings (II. Principles of Health Literacy measurement) and finally, an analysis of the situation in Portugal, including a comparison to what is being done internationally (III. Inter-ventions regarding Health Literacy).
Health Literacy, an integral part of Public Health and Primary Care, was first introduced in the 70s, and has been revised and conceptualized several times since its inception. As a concept, there still is not a universal definition of Health Literacy to the extent that some authors have even criticized the definition in itself, arguing that it was synonymous to and overlapped other existing concepts. Health Literacy, however, demonstrated enough independence and im-portance in the field, that it eventually became a standalone entity, being responsible in many cases, for the implementation of programs that led to the modification of health determinants and outcomes, as verified by scientific evidence. The measurement of Health Literacy is an important step before and after the implementation of health promotion programs. However, this process is limited by time constraints and intimately influenced and linked to the complex-ity of the concept of Health Literacy used, which also influences the viability of the measuring tools. In the case of an intervention that focuses primarily on adolescents, schools probably represent the ideal environment to implement said programs and promote Health Literacy. Countries such as the United States, Canada or Australia have invested heavily on these types of programs. In Portugal such interventions are still scarce, despite the fact that the guidelines for an intervention are stipulated on the National Program for School Health. The program is very comprehensive, includes a reference to the concept of Health Literacy as a part of the empowerment process and advocates its promotion. The aims of this study include a review and establishment of a relation between the several conceptual models of Health Literacy and to relate the concept to other important concepts that are a part of Primary Care (I. The evo-lution of the concept of Health Literacy), the study of Health Literacy measurement and its shortcomings (II. Principles of Health Literacy measurement) and finally, an analysis of the situation in Portugal, including a comparison to what is being done internationally (III. Inter-ventions regarding Health Literacy).
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Keywords
Cuidados de Saúde Primários Empowerment Literacia Para A Saúde Outcomes. Saúde Pública