Health Literacy is a Rising Star in Policy and Research, also in Slovenia

Mitja Vrdelja; Sanja Vrbovšek; Kristine Sørensen

doi:10.2478/sjph-2026-0008

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Health Literacy is a Rising Star in Policy and Research, also in Slovenia

Slovenian Journal of Public Health

Volume 65 (2026): Issue 2 (June 2026)

By: Mitja Vrdelja , Sanja Vrbovšek and Kristine Sørensen

Open Access

|Jun 2026

Abstract

The World Health Organization has identified health literacy as a key pillar for resilient health systems in its current global strategy for 2025–2028. In this editorial, we argue that effectively addressing health literacy requires its integration into key strategic frameworks at both the global and national levels, as this represents a fundamental precondition for a more coordinated and systematic approach to the issue. Slovenia has followed these global directions by adopting the National Health Literacy Strategy 2025–2035 in 2025, establishing a ten-year strategic framework to strengthen health literacy. The country is also adhering to recommendations for ongoing research in this field; in 2026, the second national health literacy survey will be conducted. Looking ahead, the focus should be on developing and implementing practical public health interventions, and on strengthening coordination with existing health promotion and prevention programmes in Slovenia that are already delivering measurable impact. A key challenge will be to strengthen collaboration between researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners to help create a supportive, health-literate environment in Slovenia.

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