ADVANCEMENT OF THE PRACTICE
DIRECT FROM CDC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Promoting Health Literacy With Empathetic and Inclusive Communication
Traci Augustosky, MA, MAIS Kathleen Walker Allison Chatham, PhD Don Meadows, MA Yvanna Marlin-Guanga, MPH
get their input, which can be done through user testing (e.g., surveys, focus groups) or by reaching out to your personal or profes- sional networks. You can also check resources from com- munity-led or self-advocacy organizations to learn about the issues that are impor- tant to your audience. For example, if you are creating materials about maternal and reproductive health for Black audiences, you could explore resources from the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (https://blackma masmatter.org/about/). 2. Use Clear Language Follow these tips to write in a way people can understand and relate to: • Write how you talk: Use a friendly, conversational tone to make materials approachable. • Choose simple words: Ask yourself, “Will my audience hear this term from doctors or other professionals they inter- act with?” If not, consider leaving it out. If you do need to use a complex or tech- nical term, define it. 3. Use Inclusive Language Using inclusive language can help you connect with diverse audiences—and help readers see themselves in your health com- munication materials. Try these tips to make your writing more inclusive: • Choose inclusive terms: For example, you could use “partner” instead of “husband or wife” and “pregnant peo- ple” instead of “pregnant women” to be more inclusive. • Oer specific examples to contextual- ize newer terms: Never underestimate the power of examples. If you are writ- ing about mobility aids, consider adding some examples: “mobility aids—such as wheelchairs, canes, or walkers.”
Editor’s Note: The National Environmental Health Association strives to provide up-to-date and relevant information on environmental health and to build partnerships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we feature this column on environmental health services from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in every issue of the Journal . In these columns, authors from CDC’s Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch, as well as guest authors, will share tools, resources, and guidance for environmental health practitioners. The conclusions in these columns are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the ocial position of CDC. Traci Augustosky leads a team of writer-editors at the National Center for Environmental Health within CDC. Kathleen Walker is a senior content strategist who creates plain language health content that educates and inspires behavior change. Dr. Allison Chatham is a health communications specialist at the National Center for Environmental Health within CDC. Don Meadows is a technical writer-editor for the CDC Oce of Communication. Yvanna Marlin-Guanga is a project manager who leads CommunicateHealth teams in creating inclusive products that educate, inform, and empower various audiences.
W hen it comes to navigating health information, reading skills are not the whole picture. Health literacy also plays an important role. Health literacy is the ability to find, understand, and use health information. People who have been marginalized or medically underserved might face even more obstacles to getting the health information they need. Overall, 9 out of 10 people struggle to understand health information (Agnes et al., 2008). At first glance, that statis- tic might seem discouraging, but there is good news. By taking a clear and inclusive approach to communication, environmen-
tal public health professionals can make health information easier to understand, build trust, and show empathy for our read- ers. Communicating with empathy means showing our readers that we understand and value their feelings, perspectives, and experiences. Use these seven tips to promote health literacy with empathetic and inclu- sive communication. 1. Learn From Your Audience What are the communication needs and preferences of your readers? What barriers could keep them from accessing informa- tion? The best way to learn about the con- cerns and questions of your readers is to
50
-olume 8 • Number
Powered by FlippingBook