Finnish School Health Education Viewed Through an Information Literacy Lens

In Finland, health education is included as an independent subject in the core curriculum for basic education where it is suggested to promote students' health literacy. In this qualitative study, we examine Finnish health education in schools through an information literacy lens. The material comprises the most recent Finnish core curricula for basic education (2004, 2014) and health education textbooks (n = 4), which were analysed with content analysis guided by theoretical conceptions of information literacy. The concept of information literacy is not used in the core curricula, but there are closely related learning objectives especially in the most recent curriculum. Textbooks cover information evaluation topics but focus less on information access and use. The study contributes to understanding the potential of information literacy promotion in school-based health education. Yet, future studies should examine health education practices to reflect how the ideas presented in the documents are implemented in practice.