Media release – HealthLit4Everyone, 18 November 2024
New evidence backs call to fund world-leading Tasmanian health literacy program in primary schools
With more than 60 per cent of Tasmanians facing significant challenges with health literacy, there’s new evidence backing calls to fund the Tasmanian-developed, globally acclaimed HealthLit4kids program in primary schools statewide.
Founding CEO of HealthLit4Everyone Dr Rosie Nash, Associate Professor Shandell Elmer and Dr Vaughan Cruickshank are launching a new book today titled Global Perspective on Children’s Health and Literacy. It presents insights from 61 health literacy experts across 17 countries, highlighting how health, education and the community sectors must work together to improve health literacy.
“It’s not often as researchers we can say that we have a silver bullet, but through HealthLit4Kids and this new book we provide tangible solutions to some of the key focus areas of the government’s 20-year preventative health strategy,” Dr Nash said.
The international research backs HealthLit4Everyone’s submission to the 2025-26 Tasmanian budget, calling for funding to roll out the current HealthLit4Kids pilot program to in all primary schools statewide over the next three years.
Global Perspective on Children’s Health and Literacy will be launched in Hobart tonight with the support of HealthLit4Everyone, the University of Tasmania, St Lukes and the Winston Churchill Trust.
