Speech by Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP on health literacy and the role of the European Union


I am delighted to be here today to welcome you to this debate on health literacy and the role of the European Union.

Health literacy is whereby a person is empowered to understand simple health information whether they receive it in writing, in person or over the telephone by a medical professional.

Fundamentally, being health literate means that you are clearly and accurately informed about your health.

Health literacy is key to better health.

Health literacy empowers patients and citizens; it also enables patients to make decisions that are good for their health.

According to a recent study carried out in Ireland -

One in five Irish people are not fully confident that they understand all of the information they receive from their healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

43 percent of people said they would only sometimes ask the person to clarify the information if they did not understand something their healthcare professional had said.

One in 10 people admitted taking the wrong dose of medication because they didn't understand instructions.