Community as Locus for Health Formal and Non-Formal Education: The Significance of Ecological and Collaborative Research for Promoting Health Literacy

Abstract

The World Health Organization (2002) considers that a balance between government, community, and individual action is necessary for health education and promotion, recognizing that non-governmental organizations, local groups, and community institutions are central in this process. This argument reinforces the idea that individuals should be empowered and encouraged to make use of accurate health-related information. This paper highlights the potential of a socio-political perspective for the development of health literacy within children and adolescents and presents two studies conducted in two daily life contexts: a community organization and a school. Both studies are based on methodological pluralism and collaborative research approaches and explore the promotion of health knowledge in formal and informal settings. Study 1 is based on a mixed methodology, using focus group discussions and questionnaires with children and youth with chronic diseases to explore the perceived impact of their participation in support associations. Study 2 presents four intensive case-studies in schools where adolescents used community profiling, a participatory research methodology, to explore health rights and access to healthcare in both a historical and prospective vision. The results enable a deeper understanding on how powerful tool ccommunity resources can be for individual and collective empowerment on health issues.

How do we live with chronic disease? A rights-based approach promoting the wellbeing of children with chronic disease

“…Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 18, and the Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) software. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted in order to test the dimensionality of the questionnaire and the adjustment of the data to the theoretical models both for the parents and the children's versions 41 ; in both cases results showed an adequate fit and reliability of the measures. The scales included the following scales and dimensions as shown in Table 1.…”

Recommendations for Measurement of Child Health Literacy: A Pragmatic Approach

“…Importantly, child and adolescent stakeholders should be active participants in this process (Bröder et al, 2017). Despite knowledge that children and adolescents are interested in and capable of being involved in their own health decisions, and that their perspective is “irrefutably valuable,” (Velardo & Drummond, 2017), they are seldom involved in discussions about HL (Brown, Teufel, & Birch, 2007; Pais, Rodrigues, & Menezes, 2014). They can provide valuable insight on how, from whom, and under which context they receive health information and make everyday health decisions (Perry, 2014).…”

Editorial: Health Education – Fostering Public Health Literacy through Innovative Educational Activities and Resources

“…Educational interventions targeting younger population segments tend to be regarded as effective, as they increase the chance of nurturing a healthy lifestyle throughout life ( 1 , 2 ). The articles by Pais et al ( 3 ), Raved and Yarden ( 4 ), and Horn et al ( 5 ) address key interacting challenges aimed at younger generations through school health programs. Pais et al focus on improving the capacity of individuals and the community to deal with health-related issues ( 3 ).…”

“…The articles by Pais et al ( 3 ), Raved and Yarden ( 4 ), and Horn et al ( 5 ) address key interacting challenges aimed at younger generations through school health programs. Pais et al focus on improving the capacity of individuals and the community to deal with health-related issues ( 3 ). Raved and Yarden consider the development of the knowledge base and the system thinking skills required to process the complexity and vast amount of information about those issues ( 4 ).…”

“…Pais et al ( 3 ) discuss the role played by the community in yielding the success of formal and informal health education initiatives. Drawing on previous studies supporting the relevance of taking on pluralistic approaches and collaborative research efforts to promote health education ( 6 , 7 ), the authors present the outcomes of two mixed-methods studies carried out in a youth community organization and in a school in Portugal.…”