373 Addressing health literacy needs of migrants and refugees in cardiovascular disease and diabetes interventions: insights from the JACARDI EU commission cofunded joint action

Sep 30, 2026

The study examines how migrant and refugee status is integrated into health literacy (HL) interventions for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes mellitus (DM) within the JACARDI joint action. JACARDI, co-funded by the EU Commission, aims to reduce CVD/DM burden across Europe, with Work Package 6 developing HL interventions for disadvantaged populations. A survey across 32 member states assessed national HL strategies, while 24 HL projects used the Ophelia methodology emphasizing co-design and cultural respect. Results show limited national policy commitment, contrasted by culturally and linguistically tailored materials and plain-language training at project level, highlighting gaps and the need for stronger governmental support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

OP 33: Diseases and Interventions

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusion

2nd World Congress on Migration, Ethnicity, Race & Health Abstract Book vi75 Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.205 373 Addressing health literacy needs of migrants and refugees in cardiovascular disease and diabetes interventions: insights from the JACARDI EU commission cofunded joint action Mounia El Yamani1, Andrea Guajardo-Villar1, Irati Erreguerena2, Melanie Hawkins3, Richard Osborne3 1Santé Publique France, Saint Maurice, France 2Biosistemak (formerly Kronikgune) Institute for Health Systems Research, Barakaldo, Spain 3Centre for Global Health and Equity, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne, Australia OP 33: Diseases and Interventions 1, B304 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 09:00-10:00 Aims: This study investigates the integration of migrant and refugee status into the design and implementation of health literacy (HL) interventions targeting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes mellitus (DM) . Methods: The Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI), an initiative Co-funded by the EU Commission, aims to reduce the burden of CVDs and DM across Europe. Work Package 6 (WP6) focuses specifically on developing HL interventions for disadvantaged populations. To achieve this, two primary actions were undertaken: 1) A survey distributed to 32 member states assessed the existence and scope of national HL strategies addressing equitable access, including culturally appropriate provisions for migrants and refugees. 2) Twenty-four HL projects were implemented following the Ophelia (Optimising Health Literacy and Access) methodology, emphasizing co-design with communities and respect for cultural beliefs. Results: The survey revealed limited governmental commitment to addressing the specific HL needs of refugees and migrants within national strategies. In contrast, many projects within WP6 developed culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, translated into languages spoken by migrant and refugee populations, and ensured cultural sensitivity and relevance. Several projects utilized diverse communication channels, including audio-visual resources and community outreach, while others established partnerships with community organizations. One project specifically trained healthcare providers on cultural awareness and the use of plain language communication. Conclusion: Evaluating the effectiveness of these programs in meeting the specific needs of migrants and refugees is crucial and forms an integral part of ongoing project evaluation. These findings highlight the gap between national policy and project-level implementation, emphasizing the need for stronger governmental support and targeted strategies to ensure equitable access to health information for these populations that frequently experience marginalisation and vulnerability.

FAQs

What was the study aiming to investigate?

The study investigated how migrant and refugee status is integrated into the design and implementation of health literacy interventions for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

How were HL interventions developed under JACARDI?

Under Work Package 6, HL interventions were developed using two main actions: a survey of HL strategies across 32 member states and implementation of 24 HL projects following the Ophelia methodology with co-design and cultural respect.

What did the survey and projects reveal about national policies versus implementation?

The survey indicated limited governmental commitment within national strategies to address refugees’ and migrants’ specific HL needs, while many WP6 projects delivered culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, diversified communication channels, and training for healthcare providers.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair