After presenting a model looking at the relationship between health communication and health literacy, the nature of this relationship is examined in the context of the HIV/AIDS programme, a peer health education programme for healthy adolescents. The programme is currently delivered in the context of national health promotion strategies largely framed by biomedical and bureaucratic principles within a a multicultural and multiracial population. The programme was delivered in a didactic manner and focused on raising awareness. Adolescents were seen as passive recipients of an expert driven...