Changes in the level of health literacy in Czechia between 2015 and 2020.

During the five years from 2015 to 2020, the proportion of people with limited health literacy decreased by 12%. This finding results from international research on the level of health literacy, which took place since 2019 till 2021 in 17 countries of the European region of the World Health Organization. In total, more than 42,000 respondents were interviewed, in Czechia there were 1,650 respondents. In 2020, however, we recorded a limited level of health literacy in 47% of the population over the age of 18. Respondents have the greatest problems with understanding health information from the media and with assessing different treatment options. Czechs (like Slovaks) have the biggest problem with following the instructions of a doctor or pharmacist. Health literacy is influenced by gender, age and education: women, older people and less educated people show higher levels of health literacy. The respondent's social gradient, primarily subjective social status has positive influence to health literacy while financial deprivation has negative influence. On the other hand, health literacy positively affects the physical activity of the respondent; subjectively perceived health and consumption of medical services are influenced as well. The Czech Health Literacy Institute is currently preparing monitoring in 2024-2025.

[Health literacy in Czech population results of the comparative representative research]. / Zdravotní gramotnost obyvatel CR výsledky komparativního reprezentativního setrení.

Health literacy survey was carried out at the end of 2014 in the context of preparation of implementation strategy of the Program Health 2020 in the Czech Republic. The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Public Health with financial support from the Ministry of Health and the Czech WHO office. Sociological survey replicated comparative research conducted in eight EU countries in the first half of this decade. Representative survey in 1037 respondents in the age over 16 years, selected in all regions of the country. The identical methodology as used in the original study was utilized. Health literacy was measured in the areas of health care, disease prevention and health promotion.We found that 59,4 % of respondents showed limited general health literacy; health literacy in health care is proved to be 49.5 % of the population, in the area of disease prevention it was 54.1 % respondents and in health promotion it was even even 64.3 % of respondents. Compared to the other countries surveyed, Czech Republic occupies the eighth, penultimate place. Health literacy is correlated negatively with age and positively with education. We found a strong social gradient of health literacy which rises with social status. Health literacy quite significantly influences the health status and health behaviors.Key words: health literacy, health behaviour, health promotion, social determinants of health.

[Overweight, obesity and underweight prevalence in 7-year-old children in the Czech Republic since 1951]. / Prevalence nadváhy, obezitya podváhy u sedmiletých detí v Ceské republice od roku 1951*

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight prevalence increases worldwide. The aim of the study was to clarify the change in underweight, overweight and obesity in seven year old Czech children since 1951. METHODS: Data on underweight, overweight and obesity prevalence were obtained using repeated cross-sectional surveys. In 1951-2001 six Czech National Anthropological Surveys were conducted. In years 2008 and 2010 the data were collected as a part of the WHO Europe initiated Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). The data were evaluated according to WHO references (2007), in 2010 results were assessed also according to the Czech reference standards (1991). RESULTS: From 1951, overweight and obesity prevalence increased in both genders up to 2001. In 2008, a modest decrease in obesity and stable overweight prevalence in girls and in boys a slight increase in obesity and decrease in overweight were found. In 2010, a modest increase in obesity prevalence in girls achieving the levels assessed in 2001 and stable level of overweight were found; in boys the levels remained as in 2008. BMI z score increased significantly between 1951 and 2001. CONCLUSION: These results suggest stabilisation of obesity and overweight prevalence in the Czech Republic in 7 years old children during the last 10 years. Underweight prevalence has remained low.

[Relation between dietary and physical activity patterns and obesity in seven year old children--current situation--WHO study]. / Soucasný stav stravování a pohybové aktivity ve vztahu k obezite u sedmiletých detí--studie WHO.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a global health problem. For monitoring of trends in obesity prevalence and comparison between countries standardized methods are necessary. WHO/Europe launched the "Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative" project in 2006 aiming to monitor childhood obesity and associated factors in European countries. This paper provides an overview of the situation in the Czech Republic with focus on diet and physical activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cohort included 1704 seven-year olds who were examined by paediatricians in 2008 (essential anthropometric measurements). Questionnaires on children's eating habits, physical activity, family, and school environment were filled in. Statistical methods employed. Multivariate regression with reduction of dimensionality (bi-directional orthogonal projection to the latent structure), one-way ANOVA. Low-fat milk intake frequency was positively correlated with BMI (p = 0.0001), while full-fat milk intake was negatively correlated (p = 0.005). These results probably reflect the change in the diet due to increasing BMI. Number of preventive school programmes aimed on health promotion was negatively associated with BMI (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Surprisingly, low-fat milk consumption was associated with higher BMI in seven years old children, while full-fat milk consumption was associated with lower BMI. School preventive programmes positively affect children's weight.

Perspectives of family medicine in Central and Eastern Europe.

INTRODUCTION: In the last decade of the 20th century, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) have experienced rapid changes in health policies. This process was largely supported by international grants. After this support has ended, it is important to keep up with the development, developing its own strategies and priorities. Aims and methods. The aim of the paper is to make a proposal for the future development of the discipline in CEE countries. The proposal is based on reports on an invitational conference that was organized for the key representatives of family medicine from CEE countries. For the purpose of this paper, additional information about the situation was gathered from literature reviews, country visits and personal interviews. RESULTS: Information shows that although family medicine has been formally recognized and introduced in university curricula, there is a very big difference in its academic position. Postgraduate training has been established in all CEE countries, according to the European Directive. Quality measures such as the development and implementation of guidelines and the re-certification procedure have also been formally introduced, but its quality varies. The key areas of concern are atomization of practices, unsatisfactory payment systems, lack of academic infrastructure and unsatisfactory continuous professional development. On the other hand, examples of good practice exist and need to be promoted. CONCLUSION: There is a need for continuous exchange of expertise within the countries. The paper will serve as a discussion paper for the next meeting of experts from CEE countries.