A Socioecological Perspective on Health Literacy and The Role of Critical Health Literacy
H Maindal, S SykesAbstract
Introduction
This presentation advances a socioecological understanding of health literacy (HL) situating it beyond the individual within the broader social, organisational, and structural contexts in which health is produced and experienced. Particular attention is given to critical health literacy (CHL) as a concept that connects actions and influences across these socioecological levels and reorients HL towards equity, collective action, civic engagement, and resilience.
Methods
The presentation draws on conceptual and theoretical work in HL, public health, and health promotion, integrating socioecological thinking, systems perspectives, settings-based approaches, life course perspectives, critical pedagogy, and social practice theories. Through a theory-informed synthesis, the presentation explores how HL can be understood as a relational and dynamic phenomenon shaped by both individual capabilities and contextual conditions.
Results
The socioecological perspective highlights that HL is a shared responsibility distributed across people, organisations, communities, and systems. Health services, professionals, and policy environments actively enable or constrain HL through the ways information, services, and opportunities for participation are designed and delivered. CHL provides a means of linking actions across socioecological levels. CHL shifts attention towards empowerment, and the social conditions that shape opportunities for health. It also broadens engagement with complex and evolving determinants, including digital, commercial, and societal influences.
Conclusions
A socioecological framing positions HL as a dynamic, relational, and system-wide concept. CHL strengthens this perspective and provides a foundation for more coordinated, equitable, and sustainable health promotion strategies. This perspective supporta an integrated approaches that enhance resilience and health equity across populations, communities, and systems.