As the ship sails forth.
This concluding article comments on what we learned from the conference, what we still need to know, and what we need to do now. It describes what participants said about the impact of the conference and the follow-up steps that have been taken so far. In terms of what we learned, there was agreement on the importance of culture in understanding literacy and health literacy; the importance of context; the integral relationship between literacy and health literacy and the concept of "empowerment;" the value of efforts to improve health through literacy and health literacy; and the need for collaboration. We need more and better information on how our various efforts are working; the cost of low literacy; the links between health, education, and lifelong learning; the needs and strengths of Aboriginal people, and the perspectives of Francophone and ethnocultural groups. Specific topics worthy of pursuit are suggested. They are followed by a list of recommendations from the conference related to focussing on language and culture, and to building best practices, knowledge, and healthy public policy. The paper presents some findings from the conference evaluation, which suggests that the conference met its goals. It concludes by reporting on actions that have been taken to implement the conference recommendations, including the establishment of a Health Literacy Expert Committee and the submission of several funding proposals.
Rootman
Irving
I
Centre for Community Health Promotion Research, University of Victoria, Box 3060, STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 3R4. irootman@uvic.ca
Edwards
Peggy
P
D002170:Canada; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000193:education; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors