This Health Literacy Month, Haleon, a global leader in consumer health, is calling for improved health literacy support to address the growing economic burden of low health literacy rates.
9 October 2025: New research has revealed the enormous impact that low health literacy has on both the Australian health system and individuals.
The Health Inclusivity Index, an independent research programme undertaken by Economist Impact and supported by Haleon, revealed that investing in inclusive everyday health could unlock billions in healthcare savings, boost GDP, and prevent millions of deaths annually.1
In Australia, over AU$7 billion* could be gained annually just by reducing the prevalence of low health literacy by 25%.2
Health literacy is people's ability to access, understand and use information to make decisions about their health and wellbeing.3
People with low health literacy often experience challenges understanding medical information, navigating healthcare systems, and making informed decisions about their care. This means they could struggle to read the directions on medication labels, fill out forms at the doctors or even measure the right dosage of a medicine.
This results in people with low health literacy spending almost three times more annually on healthcare costs than those with high health literacy.1
Barriers to health literacy are most often faced by individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people living with language and learning disabilities.1
Addressing health literacy from both an individual and systems-focused approach is a critical step towards addressing the broader social factors that drive health disparities across Australia and help to enhance health inclusivity.
The Health Inclusivity Index echoes the World Health Organisation's framework for strengthening health literacy, which highlights three key areas for action: organisational literacy, professional literacy and personal literacy.
This means supporting systems and structures, primary healthcare professionals and individuals to advance health literacy globally.1,3
Jeremy Donovan, ambassador for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF), says: "Prioritising health literacy across all three areas starts at a community level. I know first-hand the importance of being able to read and write to overcome everyday challenges - from advocating for my health to processing health information.
Building literacy from a young age is a crucial first step towards increasing health literacy and ending health disparities related to inclusivity and accessibility."
The ALNF, in partnership with Haleon ANZ, are working towards strengthening personal literacy on a grassroots level with literacy programs aimed at improving educational outcomes for children in marginalised communities.
Programs like The Breakfast Library offer a safe, inclusive space where children can learn, read, and engage with their peers while enjoying a nutritious breakfast. Programs prioritise equipping young people with the literacy skills needed to value their personal health, wellness, and self-care.
Anish Patel, General Manager at Haleon ANZ, says: "We're proud to support this research by Economist Impact, which highlights how low health literacy affects not only individuals, but also the Australian health system.
At Haleon ANZ, we're passionate about putting health in more hands and empowering people to better manage their own health. Improving health literacy is a vital step towards achieving this by enhancing inclusivity across the healthcare system. When individuals have the right knowledge and skills required to look after their everyday health with confidence, we are one step closer to a stronger, healthier community."
