# Rethinking Hospital Sustainability: Circular Economy and Health Literacy: Comment on "A Review of the Applicability of Current Green Practices in Healthcare Facilities"

## TL;DR

This paper argues that combining circular economy practices with patient education can make healthcare more sustainable and efficient.

## Contribution

The paper introduces organizational health literacy as a novel complement to circular economy strategies in healthcare sustainability.

## Key findings

- Organizational health literacy can reduce unnecessary healthcare procedures and resource use.
- Combining health literacy with circular economy practices enhances sustainability in hospitals.
- Empowered patients contribute to efficient healthcare delivery and environmental conservation.

## Abstract

Climate change poses critical dangers to both environmental and human health, highlighting the need for sustainable healthcare strategies. In their recent paper, Soares et al explore how circular economy principles can be implemented in hospital settings in order to reduce environmental impact. This commentary expands on their work by highlighting a complementary but underexplored dimension: organizational health literacy (OHL). OHL emphasizes patient education and engagement, recognizing that informed and empowered patients are key to more efficient healthcare use. By enhancing patients’ understanding of their health conditions and care options, OHL helps prevent unnecessary procedures, tests, and hospital visits, thereby indirectly reducing resource consumption and supporting sustainable practices such as minimizing waste, conserving energy, and promoting telemedicine. In this way, OHL directly supports the operationalization of circular economy interventions described by Soares et al, ensuring their effectiveness and long-term sustainability. Merging OHL with circular economy practices represents a holistic pathway towards sustainable, equitable, and resilient healthcare delivery.