Stigma and discrimination create profound barriers to health literacy and human rights for e.g. Roma communities, persons experiencing homelessness, persons with disabilities, migrants, LGBTI+ individuals, detained persons, older persons, and youth. These barriers manifest as language exclusion, culturally insensitive healthcare, inaccessible information formats, systemic discrimination, and denial of services based on housing status or appearance that prevent effective exercise of health rights. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly illuminated these inequities: countries with higher health literacy achieved better public compliance and vaccine uptake, while vulnerable populations faced heightened risks due to digital divides, misinformation, and institutional shortcomings.

This report presents an analysis of low health literacy, stigma and discrimination in eight population groups. The insights are used to suggest a governance agenda to promote health literacy and human rights to reduce health stigma and discrimination. H 7 Coordinated action across Council of Europe member states to eliminate stigma, empower vulnerable populations, and guarantee equitable access to health information and services, is recommended. Closing health literacy gaps is essential to upholding human dignity, reducing health disparities, and fulfilling the Council of Europe's mandate to protect the most vulnerable in our societies.