The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) has just launched the first episode of ‘Side B of Literacy, the Health that Counts podcast’. In each episode, different guests, led by health literacy expert Ana Rita Pedro (NOVA NSPH), will reflect on the less obvious side of this issue, show good examples that deserve to be shared and propose ideas on new ways forward. A different kind of reflection, in which NOVA NSPH aims to bring pertinent topics to the agenda and encourage debate and reflection, contributing to more informed decisions and better health for all.
In informative but relaxed language, health literacy will be approached in a positive and constructive way, with the aim of analysing the extent to which it can truly transform individual health management and consequently its impact on everyone’s life. In each episode the guests, whose professional journeys are closely related to the themes in focus, share examples, narratives and paths.
The first episode of ‘Side B of Literacy’, entitled ‘Health literacy in the age of whys’, takes a global look at the concept of health literacy, emphasising its individual and social importance. Ana Escoval (Hospital Administrator and Researcher at CHRC – NOVA NSPH), Miguel Arriaga (Director of the Directorate for Disease Prevention and Promotion at the Directorate-General for Health) and Paulo Santos (General Practitioner) will be taking part.
‘It’s with great enthusiasm that ENSP NOVA has seen the birth of this project, which cements the importance of academia working closely with the community and reinforces the work we’ve been doing in this area, in different courses and projects. We believe that it is essential for the scientific community to find new ways of communicating and sharing science, which is even more important in an age when the digital world is bringing us closer together and can truly be a driving force behind the transformations we need. In Side B of Literacy we try to explore less obvious topics in Health Literacy, with a more intimate and reflective view of issues that need to be reflected on, and in each episode a sincere dialogue about these issues with real knowledge of the facts. The result is enriching and constructive conversations, sharing and ideas,’ explains Ana Rita Pedro, researcher at NOVA NSPH and host of the project.
Over the course of 12 episodes, various topics will be covered, from empowerment for the appropriate use of health services, the role of health literacy in mental health and well-being, access to health information for vulnerable populations, the role of the media in health information, among others, ending with the challenges and opportunities that the future holds.
Among the guests are distinguished professionals from different fields such as: Adalberto Campos Fernandes (former Minister of Health and professor at NOVA NSPH), Carmen Garcia (nurse and influencer also known as ‘The Imperfect Mum’), Carlos Oliveira (President of ADEXO – Portuguese Association of People Living with Obesity), Conceição Calhau (lecturer, nutritionist and writer of the book ‘Let’s cut the crap’); Manuel Magalhães (doctor and creator of the Instagram page ‘the paediatrician’), Ricardo Baptista Leite (doctor, lecturer, former MP), Sónia Dias (Director of NOVA NSPH); Constantino Sakellarides (specialist in Public Health), among many others.
The podcast is part of the ‘Saúde que Conta’ (Health that Counts) project, an initiative of ENSP NOVA with the support of Lilly Portugal, which, since 2011, has been tackling issues with an impact on the community, health costs and the economy, contributing to greater information, monitoring, support and health literacy.
Literacy Side B is available here and a new episode is released every Thursday.