A Comparative Study of Status of Health Literacy in the Curriculum of Finland and Iran

Health Literacy is one of the most important determinants of health in the world that the educational system plays an important role in promoting it among students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative status of health literacy in the educational system of Finland and Iran [curriculum, course books and, documents].

In the present study, the content analysis of documents was used. The data were collected by examining the documents related to the educational system of these two countries. To achieve the comparative purpose of the study, Beredy’s proposed was used. The collected data were first summarized in tables and then analyzed.

The results showed that in Finnish schools, health education is offered as a separate curriculum and the subject of health literacy is considered as a learning object. While in Iran, health literacy has not been independently addressed as a separate curriculum and has not been addressed in textbooks, although the overall topic of health and physical education has been emphasized in the documents of curricula. 

The results showed that despite the development of curriculum documentation and implementation of the health- promoting schools project in Iran, no curriculum specifically teaches health education and especially health literacy to students in programs and course books, although the health and physical education has been heavily emphasized in the curriculum document. While health literacy in Finnish schools and curricula has been emphasized and new reviews in the content of lessons are taking place every year.