Nothing about me without me: why an EU health literacy strategy embracing the role of citizens and patients is needed.

As a multi-faceted concept, health literacy concerns the capacities of people to meet the complex demands of health in a modern society, starting with basic skills and ending with active citizenship. The importance of advancing health literacy in Europe was recognised by the European Commission in various communications and initiatives and most recently by the OECD. However, a strategic approach combined with a long-term action plan is still missing.