Health literacy in times of coronavirus and COVID-19

Reflecting on University Students

On July 1st, 2020, the International Health Literacy Consortium launched an online bilingual survey on health literacy in the context of COVID-19, aimed at all post-secondary students across Canada. The goal is to better understand how post-secondary students are accessing health information during the pandemic, and the perceived impact of COVID-19 on their stress level and overall wellbeing.  Thousands of students around the world are participating as this is an initiative of the International Health Literacy Consortium. For more information, see: https://covid-hl.eu/.

The study in Canada is led by Dr. Erica Di Ruggiero at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Paola Ardiles at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University (contact info at the bottom of the email). This survey will be open until August 31st 2020. We have obtained ethics approval at both institutions.

We would like to encourage students from as many universities and colleges as possible to take part across Canada.  We would be very grateful if you could support this study by helping us disseminate this survey to your public health partners and stakeholders.

Access the survey in English HERE

Access the survey in French HERE

Good times have been linked to community outbreaks of COVID-19 in BC. People in their 20s to 40s have spread the virus to friends, families, and strangers at house parties, bars, restaurants, and more. Let’s help stop the spread.

We all love good times. Follow Dr. Bonnie Henry’s guide, and we can keep each other safe and healthy. Don’t get stuck in self-isolation for 14 days, or worse – get sick, because you shared beers at a party or made out with someone with COVID-19. Have a good time – safely.

Go HERE to read the guide.

From Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO of Fraser Health

British Columbia (BC) managed to flatten then bend the COVID-19 curve.  Some of this may be due to luck and some due to being prepared.  BC has certainly benefited from strong provincial leadership and exemplary communication from the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and the Minister of Health, Hon. Adrian Dix.  I believe the way in which BC’s health system is organized, with the Ministry of Health, two provincial and five regional health authorities, also played a significant role.

Read the full article from Hospital News HERE.