As a precondition, health services should be easily accessible and available to citizens. The ability to find the appropriate primary care serves as an important gateway to the health care system, especially when this concerns interventions regarding severe diseases. Seeking and accessing appropriate care is a matter of responsible behaviour towards others, especially in managing the spread of and in treating communicable diseases. 

Access to appropriate care is a central factor in health disparities and health outcomes. In determining what is appropriate care depends on the consideration of a number of factors: 1) care is based on clear evidence of effectiveness to improve health, and is delivered by health system professionals with the expertise to work in a culturally sensitive manner; 2) care takes into account the use of resources according to the needs of regions and population groups, mindful of the principle of cost-effectiveness; 3) care is offered in a way that secures equity in care delivery; 4) care is patient-centred and therefore sensitive to the context, culture, autonomy, needs and preferences of patients, which includes their involvement in care and empowerment in seeking care and self-management. 

A key component in accessing appropriate care is the awareness of one’s rights as a patient. This includes knowing about the existence of health services and how to use them. Not knowing about them may hinder timely access to care. In this regard, those with limited health literacy are more likely to experience difficulties, resulting in delays in receiving care.

Limited health literacy is also linked with the unnecessary and improper use of health services and resources. This is a significant problem in Europe as one in six people report having difficulties in finding out where to get professional help when they are ill . 

Health literacy should not be assumed, especially not among those having special needs or who are otherwise limited in their ability to find and receive care, to navigate the health system environment. For example, people with long-term mental health conditions, older persons, and those with socioeconomic deprivation are more likely to miss appointments. This is of particular concern when they relate to healthcare and disease prevention measures, such as screening and monitoring of chronic disease. 

Ensuring individual access to appropriate care for all parts of the population can be a challenge for health systems, especially when they are complex and fragmented. Consider, for example, the challenges of providing care to migrants with language and communication barriers. It should however be noted that the health literacy of migrants varies in different European countries; in some countries, such as Austria, some migrants are reported as having high levels of health literacy, whereas in others, such as Denmark, it is the opposite. In this regard, cultural mediators as well as knowledge-brokers might be considered in order to “translate” between health system actors and patients.

Improving individuals’ health literacy means finding the health care one needs and adopting responsible ‘help-seeking’ behaviour. Health systems have a responsibility to develop appropriate care which is made easily available.