Keynote Speaker

Prof. Dr. phil. Orkan Okan

Professor of health literacy at the TUM School of Medicine and Health and the Department of Health and Sport Sciences at Technical University of Munich, Germany

Head of the WHO Collaborating Center for Health Literacy

Biography

Dr Orkan Okan is professor of health literacy at the TUM School of Medicine and Health and the Department of Health and Sport Sciences at Technical University of Munich, Germany, and head of the WHO Collaborating Center for Health Literacy. Orkan has a background in education and working background in public health. His research covers health literacy in society and in different settings, focusing on disease prevention, health promotion, health care, and digitalization. His interdisciplinary

research has a particular focus on children, adolescents, and schools. He is currently involved in various national and international projects and advises and works with (non-)governmental organizations. He has edited several books on health literacy, including the International Handbook of Health Literacy. Orkan is president of the International Health Literacy Association, president of the EUPHA Health Literacy Section, co-chair of the IUHPE GWG on Health Literacy, and co-founder and co- chair of the Global Health Literacy Research Network.

Contributions to Public Health

Prof. Orkan Okan has made significant contributions to public health through his extensive research and leadership in the field of health literacy. As a Professor at the Technical University of Munich and Head of the WHO Collaborating Center for Health Literacy, his work focuses on advancing health literacy across society and within various settings, including disease prevention, health promotion, healthcare, and digital health. He has a strong interdisciplinary approach, particularly addressing the needs of children, adolescents, and schools, and is actively involved in numerous national and international projects. Through his collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations, his edited works, including the International Handbook of Health Literacy, and his leadership roles as President of the International Health Literacy Association and the EUPHA Health Literacy Section, Dr. Okan has played a pivotal role in shaping global strategies to improve health literacy and strengthen public health systems.

Conference Keynote Address

At the 11th International Asian Health Literacy Conference, Prof. Dr. phil. Orkan Okan will deliver a keynote lecture on:

“Health literacy research in context of schools: data, evidence, intervention, and new avenues”

In his talk, He will discuss key findings from several child, adolescent, and school health literacy studies conducted at the WHO Collaborating Center for Health Literacy at TU Munich.