FHE4340 ¨C Health Literacy

Course content

This course offers an in-depth exploration of health literacy and its critical role within the realm of public health and health care services. We will investigate the definition of health literacy, how it has evolved, and how we understand the concept today. What is the concept's scientific, theoretical and ideological underpinnings?

Key topics will include the relevance of health literacy at both micro and macro levels, highlighting its implications for individual health outcomes as well as broader population health initiatives. The relationship between health literacy and knowledge translation will be a focal point. Based on current research and theory in the field, the course will cover how health literacy can be researched, and how health literacy can be supported through interventions. Furthermore, the role and potential significance of health literacy in global health policy and in promoting health equity.

Learning outcome

You will be able to:

• understand and critically reflect on health literacy as a concept and its relevance for health services in a broad perspective and in different contexts, such as public health

• understand and critically reflect on how health literacy can be researched and practised in a health services perspective

• critically analyze and discuss the concept of health literacy and its relevance in public health

• describe and discuss how health literacy can be researched

• give examples and discuss possible interventions to promote and support health literacy in a public health perspective and on different health services levels

• integrate and evaluate health literacy in research, and communicate and discuss academic issues related to health literacy in practice and research

Admission to the course

The course is available for students at the following master programmes:

• International Community Health (master)

• Folkehelsevitenskap og epidemiologi (master)

• Tverrfaglig helseforskning (master) (being phased out)

Students enrolled in other master's programmes at the Institute of Health and Society can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Teaching

The lectures will alternate between oral and written presentations, substituted with different discussion forms and student active teaching methods.

Examination

Oral presentation in groups.

A lecture (15 minutes) on a topic related to the subject content where you will be trained in oral dissemination of research.

The course is passed when the lecturer has approved the lecture.

Examination and grading at The Faculty of Medicine.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about?the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.