Health literacy is one of the key challenges facing public health systems in the 21st century. This term refers not only to people’s ability to read and understand health information, but also to be able to find, critically evaluate and use it to make informed decisions about their own health, disease prevention and use of health services. Health literacy is a bridge between knowledge and behavior: it connects science-based information with the healthy choices an individual makes in their daily lives.
In the framework of the FRAME project, BISI (Bureau for Integration and Social Innovation, Bulgaria) and POT Project Italy conducted national-level surveys aimed at assessing the current state of health literacy among adult populations, with a particular focus on exposure to misinformation and the ability to navigate health information.
The FRAMe Health project, funded under the Erasmus+ programme, address a growing challenge across Europe: the widespread availability of health information—especially in digital environments—combined with limited skills among citizens to critically evaluate sources and apply information effectively in real-life situations. This so-called “infodemic” creates risks for individual and public health, including delayed medical action, reduced participation in preventive measures, and increased vulnerability to misleading or false content.
Within this context, the surveys conducted in Italy (52 respondents) and Bulgaria (50 respondents) provide a comparative overview of how adults interact with healthcare systems, where they obtain health information, and how effectively they translate knowledge into action.
