Kerman University of Medical Sciences International Journal of Health Policy and Management 2322-5939 14 1 2025 12 01 Rethinking Hospital Sustainability: Circular Economy and Health Literacy; Comment on “A Review of the Applicability of Current Green Practices in Healthcare Facilities” 1 3 4801 10.34172/ijhpm.9297 EN Patrizio Zanobini Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Chiara Lorini Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Guglielmo Bonaccorsi Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy Journal Article 2025 07 01 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. https://www.ijhpm.com/article_4801_c2713f0b03ef8ed72a3ccb9b37a0bdb9.pdf