Dear Community Members and those curious about in the potential of health literacy for impacting NCDs,

As noted above, a new global community effort is needed to assist the WHO Independent High Level Commission on NCDs to map current health literacy actions, efforts and experiences across the globe. We need your insights into what is happening in your region or country, or specialty area.

Some of you may have already been invited to complete a paper-based survey sent to you on the 7 action areas. If you had done that, you are still welcome to contribute to this discussion. We will release 1 of 7 Health Literacy action areas per week over the coming 7 weeks.

Please comment on the action area 1 below.

Kind regards Richard Osborne, Satish Melwani and Shandell Elmer, your facilitator team from Swinburne University.

*Action Area 1: What different types of mass communication channels/strategies are being used to create awareness among the general population regarding any or all risk factors for NCDs?*

This action area focuses on identifying various modes of mass communications channels/strategies that different countries are implementing at local or national level to educate people to create awareness about NCDs and/or their risk factors (Tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, air pollution etc.). This may include examples of particular campaigns or guidelines relating to content, presentation and delivery systems for information including: mass media, information websites and hubs, literature for mass dissemination.

Please work with your colleagues in various departments to generate effective and detailed responses. Please describe any specific programs that you are aware of and provide references, links or attachments.

You may also work with colleagues within your organisation to generate more detailed responses.