Health Literacy Survey among adults in Iceland 2026
-Automatic translation
The Health Literacy Survey is part of the European Health Literacy Survey M-POHL and Iceland's participation in the pan-European project JA PreventNCD. The main goal of JA PreventNCD is to implement effective measures to prevent non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Health literacy matters
Health literacy is an individual's ability to obtain, understand, evaluate, and use information to support and maintain good health. Good health literacy increases people's ability to make informed decisions about their own health and strengthens their autonomy and active participation in society. However, limited health literacy has been associated with riskier behaviour, poorer health, more frequent hospitalisations, and increased costs for the health care system. Promoting health literacy can therefore contribute to reduced health inequalities and improved health and well-being. Health literacy has not previously been measured nationally in Iceland, so these results provide valuable information about the situation.
Participation
Gallup is conducting the survey in collaboration with the Directorate of Health, and it will take place in the spring of 2026.
Contact
E-mail: rannsoknir@landlaeknir.is
Service provider
Directorate of Health