IHA Annual Virtual Conference Logo

This year marks the 25th Annual IHA Health Literacy Conference — a powerful milestone that reflects the growth, resilience, and innovation of a field that continues to evolve. Over the past two and a half decades, this community has transformed health literacy from a concept into a movement, driving change in how people access, understand, and use health information. As we celebrate this legacy, we also look ahead.

This year’s theme reflects a clear shift from raising awareness to taking meaningful action. We are moving beyond definitions and policy statements to focus on practical solutions that improve understanding, build trust, and advance equity.

The 2026 conference will follow a three-day structure, with each day organized around a different area of action.

2026 Conference theme: From vision to action: Advancing health literacy across people and systems.

We will focus on what it takes to help individuals and communities better understand and use health information. Sessions will explore inclusive communication, plain language, community partnerships, and co-created solutions. We will also look at how technology can help reduce barriers and connect people to the care and information they need.

This day is about building capacity through training, leadership development, and collaboration across roles and sectors. We will highlight strategies for supporting community health workers, onboarding new staff, and helping teams adapt to changing tools and expectations, especially in digital environments. Attendees will walk away with skills they can use in practice right away.

The last day will be dedicated to changing structures, policies, and processes that shape how health information is created and delivered. Sessions will explore how organizations can embed health literacy into their operations, and how digital tools, artificial intelligence, and data systems can either support or challenge this work.

Throughout the conference, we will stay focused on action. In this milestone year, we honor how far we have come and recommit to building what comes next. This conference is about doing the work —with people and for people —to advance health literacy at every level.