Health Literacy as a Modifiable Determinant of Health in Early Childhood: A Mixed-Method Programme

Early childhood has been identified as a critical time for the development of key aspects of health literacy, such as preventative health attitudes and positive health habits and behaviours, with good health literacy linked to positive health outcomes. However, despite calls for increased attention to the health literacy of younger children, the evidence-base to draw from is limited.

Research to date has focused primarily on parental health literacy rather than that of young children and failed to take the perspectives of children themselves, as well as wider stakeholders, into account.

The proposed programme will use both children and stakeholders to examine characteristics of health literacy in early childhood, identify an appropriate model of health literacy for this specific population and develop an evidence-based intervention. The programme has three aims: (1) conduct a systematic review of existing models and definitions of early-years health literacy (2) undertake a qualitative exploration of the characteristics, barriers and facilitators to health literacy in early-years with children, parents and stakeholders (3) using findings from the previous two studies, develop and test an intervention based on a model of health literacy.

This will include a steering group to guide and facilitate the programme, with the overarching aim of making a unique contribution to the understanding, conceptualisation and operationalisation of early childhood health literacy. This programme of study will respond to declarations made by the World Health Organization on the importance of investing in health literacy throughout the life course, which must begin in childhood.