[Promotion of general health and scientific literacy via consumer and patient information: the role of the IQWiG].

: The Institute of Quality and Economy in Healthcare (Institut fur Qualitat und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen; IQWiG) was established to strengthen the scientific basis for decision making in German healthcare services, and to provide a scientific resource for the German healthcare community and general public. The Institute is committed to supporting informed decision making, patient choice, and patient autonomy. One of the key activities of the IQWiG is the provision of easily understandable consumer and patient information. These are made available to the general public via a website. The Institute's approach to health communication is based on goals and techniques of patient empowerment, scientific and health-specific knowledge (literacy building), health promotion, and evidence-based medicine. The promotion of general health- and scientific knowledge (critical health information, or health literacy) is strongly associated with good health outcomes and patient empowerment in several ways. Unlike other factors that determine health outcome and patient empowerment, health literacy is modifiable. In its role as provider of consumer and patient information, the IQWiG focuses therefore on continuous promotion and strengthening of health literacy in the German population. IQWiG intends to pursue this aim by means of publications and website activities, as well as by own academic work and projects that address scientific and health literacy at the population level. (Full English version online at www.iqwig.de)