455 Co-designing health literacy interventions to address non-communicable diseases among migrants in Europe

Abstract EP3.4, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Aims Migrants experiencing vulnerabilities face higher burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, due to challenging acculturation, poor living conditions, and socioeconomic barriers. Despite these challenges, there is a lack of migrant-responsive interventions, which are insufficient, and usually not codesigned with migrant communities, leading to poor uptake and limited sustainability. Tailored health literacy interventions developed in collaboration with migrant communities have great potential to generate effective programs with long-term impact. Methods As part of JACARDI (Joint Action on CARdiovascular diseases and Diabetes | Grant Agreement 101126953), this study presents the codesign and pilot implementation of health literacy-informed interventions with migrant communities experiencing vulnerabilities in three countries, Portugal, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Using the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process projects undertake needs assessment using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Engaging migrants, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, projects identify health literacy gaps and resources and codesign locally relevant solutions to improve NCD prevention and management. Results In Portugal, health literacy needs assessment with 1126 migrants identified 16 health literacy profiles, informing 12 idea generation workshops. These workshops shaped an intervention currently piloted with South Asian migrants. In Romania, community nurses are trained, and culturally adapted diabetes and cardiovascular disease resources are developed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices. In the Czech Republic, interventions support Ukrainian refugees through stakeholder collaboration to enhance health service access and increase health literacy in the NCD primary prevention. All sites are actively executing their implementation plans. Co-design workshops and structured evaluations help to ensure inclusivity and sustainability, with impact and sustainability assessments planned. Conclusions These co-created health literacy interventions, embedded within existing structures, are on track to promote equitable health outcomes for migrant communities. Findings from the ongoing implementation will inform future scale-up strategies for NCD prevention and management across Europe.

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Journal
European Journal of Public Health
Published
2025-12-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf180.412
Primary Topic
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
Type
article
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article

455 Co-designing health literacy interventions to address non-communicable diseases among migrants in Europe

Michael Chaloupka, Maria J. Marques, Richard H. Osborne, Sónia Dias et al.
European Journal of Public Health
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
article

455 Co-designing health literacy interventions to address non-communicable diseases among migrants in Europe

Michael Chaloupka, Maria J. Marques, Richard H. Osborne, Sónia Dias, Mélanie Hawkins, Ayshe Seyfulayeva, Jana Lávičková, Viktoriya Matorina
article en

Abstract

Abstract EP3.4, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Aims Migrants experiencing vulnerabilities face higher burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, due to challenging acculturation, poor living conditions, and socioeconomic barriers. Despite these challenges, there is a lack of migrant-responsive interventions, which are insufficient, and usually not codesigned with migrant communities, leading to poor uptake and limited sustainability. Tailored health literacy interventions developed in collaboration with migrant communities have great potential to generate effective programs with long-term impact. Methods As part of JACARDI (Joint Action on CARdiovascular diseases and Diabetes | Grant Agreement 101126953), this study presents the codesign and pilot implementation of health literacy-informed interventions with migrant communities experiencing vulnerabilities in three countries, Portugal, Romania, and the Czech Republic. Using the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) process projects undertake needs assessment using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Engaging migrants, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, projects identify health literacy gaps and resources and codesign locally relevant solutions to improve NCD prevention and management. Results In Portugal, health literacy needs assessment with 1126 migrants identified 16 health literacy profiles, informing 12 idea generation workshops. These workshops shaped an intervention currently piloted with South Asian migrants. In Romania, community nurses are trained, and culturally adapted diabetes and cardiovascular disease resources are developed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices. In the Czech Republic, interventions support Ukrainian refugees through stakeholder collaboration to enhance health service access and increase health literacy in the NCD primary prevention. All sites are actively executing their implementation plans. Co-design workshops and structured evaluations help to ensure inclusivity and sustainability, with impact and sustainability assessments planned. Conclusions These co-created health literacy interventions, embedded within existing structures, are on track to promote equitable health outcomes for migrant communities. Findings from the ongoing implementation will inform future scale-up strategies for NCD prevention and management across Europe.

European Journal of Public HealthVol. 35(Supplement_6)
University of Lisbon (PT), National School of Public Health (GR), National Institute of Public Health (CZ), Swinburne University of Technology (AU), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (PT), Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (MY)
Openalex Percentile: Top 45%
Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
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