Category: We Heart Health Literacy

As public health crises go, few have been as devastating as the opioid epidemic. Between 1999 and 2022, opioid overdoses claimed nearly 727,000 lives in the United States alone. Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is weighing approval of a new medicine that promises to be a non-addictive alternative to opioids for treating pain. We’ll be following these developments closely — but in the meantime, we’re thinking about how we as health communicators can approach the extremely important, and extremely sensitive, topic of opioid use disorder (a question we first tried to answer in 2016).

Here’s our thoughts:

Include people with lived experience.

At this point, this almost goes without saying, dear reader — after all, nary a post gets published on here without mention of how important it is to involve your audience members in developing your materials. The more sensitive and complex the health topic, the more important it is to make sure the language you use accurately reflects the experience of people who’ve been there. That means engaging people with opioid use disorder, people in recovery, their loved ones and family members, or health care providers and allied professionals, depending on your communication goals.    

Reframe addiction as a medical problem.

All too often, addiction is still viewed as a moral failure instead of what it is: a medical problem that can be treated, just like any other disease. Health comm folks like us can support this mental shift by communicating about addiction and opioid use the same way we would talk about diseases like cancer or diabetes — with a focus on empathy and inclusive, non-stigmatizing language. Another strategy is to clearly explain what happens in the body when people become physically dependent on opioids or other drugs (for example, by sharing this video from the National Institute on Drug Abuse).

Explain harm reduction (then, explain it again).

For many folks, harm reduction — taking steps to make drug use safer — is one of the trickiest concepts to wrap their head around. It’s easy to see why. At a cursory glance, harm reduction strategies like needle exchanges or the Never Use Alone hotline may seem to “enable” people with opioid use disorder rather than encourage them to stop using. We could write a whole post about this topic (and we have!), but here’s the gist: The most important goal is to keep people alive. Recovering from opioid use disorder is tough, and it often takes people years and several attempts to stop using — but recovery is possible. Harm reduction is simply a way to keep people alive and as healthy as possible while they’re on their journey.

Highlight systemic reasons for the crisis.

Acknowledging the deeply rooted systemic reasons for the opioid epidemic in our country may not solve the crisis. But it may help reduce the social stigma so many people who misuse opioids face and help shift perception away from individual blame and toward systemic responsibility. We know now that for years, opioids were heavily marketed and promoted to doctors as safe — and that for years, they were over-prescribed, with far too little regulatory oversight. We also know there’s a myriad of systemic factors that contribute to the opioid crisis, like economic hardship, unequal access to health care, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Want more tips on communicating about opioids and overdose prevention? Check out this helpful messaging guide from Berkeley Media Studies Group.

Bottom line: People with opioid use disorder — and their loved ones — deserve clear, empathetic, and non-stigmatizing health information. As health communicators, we can do our part to make sure they get just that.

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!):The opioid crisis remains one of the most important public health topics of our time. CommunicateHealth shares thoughts on how #HealthComm professionals can talk about it: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/communicating-about-opioids-lessons-from-the-past-decade/ #HealthCommunication #HealthLiteracy #HealthCommunication #HealthLiteracy

Way back in 2016, we talked about how icons make it easy to communicate with fewer words. And that’s still true! But a lot has changed in the world of iconography since then — especially when it comes to making icons more inclusive. So today, we’re exploring what’s new with our old pal the icon.

Just as we health communicators have been using more gender-conscious language, many designers have been exploring gender-conscious icons and pictograms. For example, you may have noticed the old-fashioned male and female stick figures slowly disappearing from bathroom signs. Now, instead of depicting gender, many bathroom signs depict, well, plumbing fixtures. By showing different combinations of toilets and urinals (and wheelchairs to indicate accessible stalls), these designs keep the focus on what the user needs. And that’s an approach we always ❤️!

Designers and accessibility advocates have also given the classic wheelchair icon a recent glow-up. Rather than a stiff, static depiction of a person sitting, this newer accessible icon shows their movement through space — shifting the focus from the wheelchair as passive object to the wheelchair user as active subject, and highlighting their ability to move and navigate.

And speaking of moves, if you watched the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, you may have seen the new pictograms for each sport. These designs didn’t default to clunky, static wheelchairs to stamp a design as “paralympic.” Instead, Olympic and Paralympic sports share the same pictogram, unless accessible equipment is key to the action. So the design for archery or swimming is shared, while wheelchair basketball gets a snazzy, dynamic chair added in.

You probably won’t want to use pictograms quite as fancy as the Paris designs in your health materials — the icons should be plain and clear in health comm, just like the language. But the next time you reach for an icon to help get your point across, we hope these examples help you choose a design that’s accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone in your audiences.

The bottom line: Whether you’re creating health materials or designing for public spaces, use inclusive, accessible icons to help your audiences understand and navigate.  

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): How can we make icons more inclusive and accessible? CommunicateHealth takes a look at some icon updates:  https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/say-it-even-better-with-inclusive-icons/ #HealthCommunication #HealthLiteracy #HealthComm

Happy New Year, dear readers! As we step into 2025, the future of public health and health care feels uncertain in many ways. If you’re feeling anxious about what this year holds, you’re definitely not alone. We may not have a crystal ball, but here at We ❤️ Health Literacy Headquarters, we’re going to keep working toward a future where everyone can access the care they need to thrive — and we’re confident that like-minded organizations will join us! To start 2025 on a hopeful note, we’re highlighting a few organizations that are working to make health care more inclusive by addressing systemic inequities, educating health care providers, and connecting patients with care that meets their needs.

Black Mamas Matter Alliance

Black people face alarming disparities in reproductive health care. The Black Mamas Matter Alliance envisions a world where all Black women and birthing people have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. This Black women-led organization provides training and capacity building to pregnancy care providers, grassroots organizations, academics, and public health professionals to advance Black pregnancy-related health.

Inclusive Therapists

Inclusive Therapists highlights mental health care providers who practice from a social justice and liberation-informed perspective. Anyone can use Inclusive Therapists’ directory to find providers who share specific identities or experiences (for example, LGBTQ+ therapists), specialize in certain topics, or offer sliding scale payment options. The organization’s website also features mental health resources created by and for people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and disabled people.

PATH: Promoting Accessibility To Healthcare

While health care providers learn about conditions like autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome in medical school, many don’t learn how to provide care in a way that supports their neurodivergent patients’ needs. As a result, neurodivergent people are more likely to experience medical trauma. UC Davis Health’s PATH Program (a clever acronym for Promoting Accessibility To Healthcare) is working to fill this knowledge gap, starting with pediatric health care providers. PATH educates pediatric providers about communication and sensory differences that many neurodivergent children experience, along with actionable steps that providers can take to make their practice more accessible and affirming.

Equitas Health

Equitas Health, a nonprofit community health care system, has been breaking down barriers to care for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS since 1984. Today, Equitas Health takes a “whole person” approach to care, offering gender-affirming care, online community support groups, needle exchange programs, and more. Equitas Health Institute (the educational branch of Equitas Health) hosts webinars and publishes resources on relevant topics like gender-affirming care in rural areas, aging in the LGBTQ+ community, and asexual experiences in the health care system.    

Association for Weight and Size Inclusive Medicine

While conversations about weight and health have evolved over the past few years, weight bias remains all too common in health care. The Association for Weight and Size Inclusive Medicine (AWSIM) is dedicated to building a world where patients of all sizes have access to empathetic and evidence-based health care. Providers and medical students can explore a library of resources on weight stigma and health and connect with like-minded folks through community events. AWSIM just launched in fall 2024, so we’ll be sure to stay tuned as the organization grows!

The bottom line: 2025 may feel uncertain in many ways — but we’re heartened by the fact that there’s so many organizations (and individuals!) doing the work of promoting health equity and inclusion every day. And we hope you are too! 

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): To set the tone for the new year, CommunicateHealth highlights organizations that are working to make #HealthCare more inclusive. Check it out: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/things-we-❤️-organizations-that-make-health-care-more-inclusive/ #HealthCommunication #HealthLiteracy #HealthComm

Here at We ❤️ Health Literacy Headquarters, we’re all about empowering people to make informed health care decisions. We know that shared decision making — when patients and doctors work together to identify the best treatment plan — promotes positive health outcomes. But even people with plenty of skills and experience navigating health care sometimes leave the doctor’s office feeling confused, defeated, or unheard. 

It’s easy to understand why. Doctor’s appointments are often rushed — and when we’re not feeling well, our capacity to interpret complex health information and respond in real time takes a nosedive. For people who’ve experienced trauma, it’s even harder to access those skills in the moment. And we know that people of color, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience bias and discrimination in the health care system. 

The good news is that there are steps people can take to advocate for themselves at doctor’s appointments. Preparing questions ahead of time is one way to reduce pre-appointment anxiety and make the most of a short visit. Learning a few scripts, or basic phrases, to use in conversation with a doctor can empower people to ask questions, set boundaries, and advocate for their needs — even when they’re feeling overwhelmed. Here are a few self-advocacy scripts to share with your audiences, along with our thoughts on why they can be effective.  

“What information will this test give us?” To make informed decisions about testing (which can be time-consuming, uncomfortable, and expensive), patients need to understand what information the test will provide — and how doctors will use that information. Encourage your audiences to ask questions about any test their doctor recommends.  

“How will this treatment help me?” People are more likely to follow guidance if they understand how the treatment will improve their quality of life. Discussing the intended outcome also helps patients understand what to expect, so they can assess whether a treatment is “working”— and revisit the treatment plan with their doctor if it’s not. 

“Are there other treatment options we can consider?” Remind your audiences that they don’t have to accept the first treatment plan presented to them. Encourage readers to learn about their treatment options and discuss the pros and cons of each one with their doctor before making a decision.   

“What could happen if I don’t get this test or treatment?” With health care costs on the rise, it’s helpful to know if a doctor’s recommendations are nice-to-have or need-to-have. By addressing this question head-on, patients can clarify their options — and learn about the risks of not pursuing a specific test or treatment.  

“Is there anything I can do to manage this side effect?” Encourage readers to discuss any side effects they’re experiencing with their doctor. In some cases, there are simple steps patients can take to make side effects more manageable. And if side effects interfere with everyday life or cause new health issues, a doctor may be able to recommend other treatment options.    

“I’ve found I’m healthier when…” This simple phrase can be a powerful way for patients to set boundaries by clearly expressing what they do or don’t want. For example: “I’ve found I’m healthier when I don’t focus on the number on the scale. Please don’t check my weight when I come in for my next appointment.”  

The bottom line: Many people struggle to speak up for themselves at the doctor’s office. Sharing scripts, or basic phrases, to use during doctor’s appointments can help your readers advocate for their needs. 

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): Speaking up for ourselves can be tricky — especially during health care visits. CommunicateHealth offers simple scripts health communicators can share to help people advocate for their needs at the doctor’s office: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/how-can-health-communicators-support-patient-self-advocacy/ #HealthCommunication #HealthLiteracy #HealthComm

Dearest gentle reader,

If you’re anything like us, you enjoy a good bingeable TV show. As you may have guessed from the opening line, our latest obsession here at We ❤️ Health Literacy headquarters is Shonda Rhimes’ period drama Bridgerton — or, as we call it around here, Netflix’s 23-hour PSA for why we need comprehensive sex education.

Allow us to explain. The show is full of examples of what can happen if young people don’t understand the fundamental principles of human reproduction because sex, and everything to do with it, is considered uncouth to talk about. And yes, we’re aware that the show is 1, fictional and 2, set in the 1800s where this was par for the course — but looking at recent attempts to restrict comprehensive sex education in schools, it doesn’t seem that far-fetched to draw comparisons to the present day. (Spoiler alert: “Abstinence only” didn’t work back then any better than it does now.)

Here are a few examples. In season 1, Daphne’s lack of knowledge about how exactly babies are made leads to the central misunderstanding with her newly minted husband (the Duke). When her maid eventually fills her in, Daphne uses her newfound knowledge to try and trick her husband into getting her pregnant against his will — which clearly warrants a conversation about consent, an integral part of sex education.

Then there’s Penelope’s sisters, who in season 3 race to produce an heir — only it turns out they’re not quite sure about the mechanics of the baby-making process, which is why their efforts haven’t been successful. While this scene is meant to be comic relief in the show, it takes on a much more serious meaning in a world where a woman’s financial and social standing are inextricably tied to her ability to become pregnant and ensure the line of succession.

Knowledge is power — and that part hasn’t changed, whether it’s about trying to get pregnant or avoiding an unplanned pregnancy. Consider Marina who, in season 1, tries to abort her unwanted pregnancy with a cocktail made of herbs that nearly kills her. And if you think desperate abortion attempts without medical care are a thing of the past, think again. With access to safe, legal abortion being cut in many states, more women are turning to unsafe methods to try and end pregnancies. That’s a throwback to Gregorian times that clearly none of us need.

And finally, the men. Oh, the Bridgerton men, uninhibited by the concern for sexual purity placed upon their female counterparts — and apparently also uninhibited by any thought of spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through their casual sexual encounters (yep, STIs were a thing in Gregorian England). Even today, nearly half of new STI cases happen in teens and young adults. What will help? You guessed it — teaching comprehensive sex education in schools, a strategy that’s proven to lower risky sexual behaviors like unprotected sex in young people.

The bottom line: Bridgerton is fun, fashionable, and fancifully entertaining — but it also touches on some very relevant public health topics. On this note, go forth and watch, dear reader!

Yours truly, Lady Whistledown… errr… your friends at CommunicateHealth.

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): It’s TV Club time! CommunicateHealth watches the period drama Bridgerton — and highlights important parallels with today’s public health priorities. Check it out: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/tv-club-bridgerton-or-why-we-need-comprehensive-sex-education

Last month was Family Health History Month — a national health observance that encourages people to learn about their family medical history. Here at We ❤️ Health Literacy headquarters, we love a good public health observance. And we love a good think about inclusive health communication. Family health history is an area that’s not always talked about in the most inclusive, empathetic way.

Here’s the thing — family health history is really important. It can help with calculating your risk for inherited conditions, guide screening recommendations, and provide a more complete overall picture of your health. For example, some genetic differences that cause diseases can be inherited — like the BRCA gene that causes breast cancer. So if you have a family history of breast cancer (or something else), your doctor might recommend you get tests or screenings earlier and more often. In short, doctors look to family health history to help guide more personalized and proactive care.

But here’s the other thing — people may not always have access to their full family history. There are a lot of things that can prevent people from knowing their family’s medical background. And some of those things could be difficult to talk about or emotionally sensitive. Here are some factors that can be a barrier to family health information.

• Donor conception. People conceived using donor eggs, sperm, or embryos may have limited or no access to family health history. It depends on when the donation happened, what type of donor was chosen (anonymous, known, or open ID), and how honest and open a person’s parents were about having used a donor.
• Adoption. Similar challenges can exist for people who were adopted — especially during times when anonymous adoptions were common.
• Estrangement. Some families simply don’t have contact with one another. Rifts or disputes can cause family members to be unwilling to talk for any reason, including health-related reasons. In other cases, where estrangement has happened due to abuse and violence, making contact might even be unsafe.
• Separation due to war or migration. Historical and modern events like war, migration, and immigration can disconnect family members. When families are separated, medical history may be lost.

Our messages need to be sensitive and reflect this diversity of experience. Here are some ways we can talk about family health history thoughtfully and with care.

• Acknowledge gaps. Clearly state that “not everyone has access to their full family health history.”
• Reassure. Having limited or no access to family health history might feel scary, sad, or isolating. Make sure your messages let people know that it’s okay not to have all the details — and that family health history is not the end-all-be-all for having good health.
• Promote healthy habits. Highlight behaviors and choices that support good health for everyone, regardless of genetic background. Remind people that a healthy lifestyle can make a huge difference in overall health and well-being.
• Strike a balanced tone when talking about genetic testing. The subject is complex, and packed with opinions about what people should and shouldn’t do — and how. Remember that the decision to have genetic tests, whether they’re clinical or direct-to-consumer, is a personal one. Give your audience quality information on the topic and trust them to decide what’s best for themselves.

The bottom line: By acknowledging differences in access to family health history, we can ensure that messages about health are inclusive, supportive, and empowering.

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): Family health history — a powerful tool for health, but one that’s not in everyone’s toolkit. CommunicateHealth has some thoughts about how to talk about family history with care and compassion for diverse experiences. Take a look: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/talking-about-family-health-history-inclusive-strategies-for-every-story/

This week, we’re excited to bring you another post in our new(ish) series “Voices From the Field.” We chatted with Ashani Johnson-Turbes, Vice President at NORC (and President of the Society for Health Communication!). NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, nonpartisan research organization that works with government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, and commercial organizations. 

Ever since she started her career working on environmental issues with the Chicago Housing Authority in the 1990s, Ashani’s been a fervent advocate of promoting equity — long before the term became popular. “Nowadays, ‘equity’ is popular and ubiquitous. It’s a buzzword that gets used a lot, but the concept itself has been around for a very long time,” Ashani says. “At its core, equity refers to things being fair, just, and impartial. That’s what our work is really about.” And her work is leading a team of experts at NORC in what she calls “Equity Science”: the study and practice of efforts to advance equity across research and evaluation to make research methods better. In the public health space, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) refers to it as “health equity science — the examination of patterns and factors that contribute to health inequities.”

Why is that important, you ask? Well, for one thing, social science research — the study of human behavior and relationships — influences many policy decisions that affect public health. Social and behavioral science informs decisions on how funding is allocated, how public health campaigns are designed, and what programs and services are needed and developed. But historically, some groups of people have been absent from not only the research, but also from the process of making decisions about what kind of research is important and is being conducted — and how that’s done.

Being left out means that their voices, concerns, needs, experiences, and expertise weren’t reflected in data, outcomes, or decision-making about how to use results. “As social science researchers, we must not only strive to improve research processes that left many groups absent or inadequately represented,” Ashani says. “We must also understand the historical context that led to some groups being invisible — and acknowledge that trustworthy and valid research cannot happen without inclusivity.”

That’s why Ashani and her team developed the Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) Framework — and why they’re currently developing the Inclusive and Equitable Research Framework™, which will offer an action-oriented blueprint for embedding inclusivity and equity throughout the research cycle. Both frameworks can guide health communication and other scientists in making study designs, data collection tools, analyses, and communication inclusive and equitable.

The Inclusive and Equitable Research Framework will highlight 4 main principles:

• Positionality and self-reflection. Acknowledge and reflect on the fact that researchers bring the full sum of their life, history, identity, and biases (conscious or unconscious) to the research process.
• Culture and community engagement. Center your intended audience’s culture and lived experience in the research cycle through authentic community engagement. “Engaging people in the community in the entire research process will add to the validity and trustworthiness of your data and results,” Ashani points out.
• Make research available, accessible, and easy-to-understand for everyone involved. This can help dismantle power hierarchies between researchers and the people and communities they work with.
• Systems thinking. Ensure that your research moves beyond focusing on individual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to examine the social, economic, and political structures that influence people’s lives.

The bottom line: Equity can sometimes seem like just another health comm buzzword. Ashani Johnson-Turbes reminds us that “equity can be a verb and a process” — and that promoting equity means promoting what is fair, just, and impartial, in research and beyond.

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): This week, CommunicateHealth’s blog series “Voices From the Field” features Ashani Johnson-Turbes, Vice President at NORC. Don’t miss out on this conversation: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/voices-from-the-field-ashani-johnson-turbes-norc-center-on-equity-research/ #HealthLiteracy #HealthComm

We’ve talked before about how much we love libraries — and about how free and equitable access to books can help improve health literacy. But lending books is far from the only way our libraries contribute to the health of our communities. So today, dear reader, we’re back with some more appreciation for the role of public libraries in public health promotion.

In his 2023 advisory on loneliness and isolation, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy listed libraries as a key part of the social infrastructure that makes social connection possible. Libraries serve as what sociologists call  “third places” — not home, not work, but a third place where people can gather, communicate, and build relationships.

And unlike many other physical parts of the social infrastructure, libraries provide free, public indoor spaces. They’re a reliably safe and weather-proof option for people experiencing homelessness, kids who need a place to hang out after school, and people of all ages who simply have nowhere else to go.

With all this gathering going on, libraries have lots of opportunities to reach people and share information. In fact, many public libraries now employ social workers to help people find and access government benefits and services. Need to apply for disability payments or SNAP benefits? Libraries can help with that. Need to find emergency housing or mental health care? Libraries can help with that, too. For people who don’t have reliable internet access or have trouble navigating information online, libraries may be a lifeline to the benefits they need.

And public libraries don’t only provide information and help navigate services — they also provide some health and social services directly.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries went beyond communication and worked to distribute masks, test kits, and even vaccines to community members.
• In response to the opioid epidemic, libraries began stocking Narcan and training staff to help in case of overdoses.
• To address food insecurity, libraries don’t only provide food and nutrition education — many distribute meals, run on-site food pantries, or plant community gardens.
• To support patrons living with mental health conditions, many libraries train staff in mental health first aid and offer free workshops on mental health topics.

So next time you’re working on a health comm project that could use a community-based approach, consider teaming up with local libraries. To get started, check out the Midwest Public Health Training Center’s public library collaboration toolkit. And if you’ve partnered with libraries and have tips to share, let us know! We’d ❤️ to hear about your experiences.

The bottom line: Public health and public libraries make a perfect team — so try including local libraries in your health comm partnerships.

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): What do public libraries have to do with public health? A whole lot! CommunicateHealth explains why you’ll want to team up with libraries on your health comm projects: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/partnering-with-public-libraries-to-promote-public-health/ #HealthCommunication #HealthLiteracy #HealthComm

This is not the post we wanted to write this week, dear readers. But current events have prompted us to reach out to all of you today with a simple message, for anyone who needs to hear it: You are not alone.

To our colleagues working in public health who worry about what this election’s results mean for our work, and for the health of our communities: We don’t have an answer. But we promise we’ll keep looking for one, together.

To those who feel less safe today than they did last week, like many of our friends in the LGBTQ+ community (and so many others): We see you, and we’ll keep fighting for what’s good and true.

To everyone who’s building a life in this country, no matter where you came from: You belong. We’re a stronger country with you in it.

Today, we process. Tomorrow, we’ll continue to work in the service of public health.

In solidarity,

Your friends at CommunicateHealth

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): This week feels hard for many of us in the #PublicHealth community and beyond. CommunicateHealth wants you to know that you’re not alone: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/to-our-community/ #HealthComm

In less than 2 weeks, people across the country will vote on who they think should set the tone of U.S. politics for the next 4 years. While it’s hard to overstate the significance of this election for any number of public health-related topics — think reproductive freedom and health care, LGBTQ+ rights, and firearm violence, to name just a few — we wanted to zoom out today and look at the bigger picture. And that is how we can participate in and shape the way political decisions are made — a process that requires civic literacy.

Civic literacy is the skillset people need to play an active role in the processes that shape their communities and society at large. It includes understanding how our country’s institutions work to keep public life running, and how our leaders make decisions that affect nearly every aspect of our lives. It also includes understanding our rights and responsibilities within that context — whether it’s casting your vote on election day, staying informed about current issues, or having respectful discussions with others who might have different opinions.

You might wonder, what does all of this have to do with health? A whole lot! Consider this, dear reader:

Civic literacy is the foundation for civic engagement and participation — playing an active role in improving the quality of life in your community. Research shows that civic engagement supports better health. And there are many ways to get involved, from volunteering at a local food bank to coaching a youth sports team or even running for public office.

Civic literacy includes media literacy — the ability to find (and think critically about) information. Supporting media literacy may be our best defense against health mis- and disinformation. (For more on this tricky topic, check out the Practical Playbook for Addressing Health Misinformation.)

Health care is inherently political. Whether it’s setting a framework for insurance providers (like the Affordable Care Act), regulating how much drug manufacturers can charge for medicines, or passing laws to protect or restrict people’s access to services, policy decisions affect nearly every aspect of health care. Highlighting those connections for our audiences — and empowering them to get involved — is part of our job as health communicators.

So how can we promote civic literacy and engagement among our audiences? While this is certainly a bigger task than we can accomplish through health communication alone, there are a few strategies we can use:

• Educate readers about health-related policies. There are many, many examples of this, ranging from expanding Medicaid to making insulin more affordable to banning potentially harmful medical devices. Understanding how policies can affect their health and access to care can empower people to take action.
• Point out opportunities for people to get involved. If you’re writing about a specific disability or health condition, try linking to relevant advocacy organizations. Many orgs share timely updates on policy issues that impact their audiences, along with opportunities for folks to make their voices heard. You can also encourage audience members to contact their elected officials to weigh in on the issues they care about.
• Offer a platform for civic discourse. If you have the option — for example, through your blog or social media presence — make space for your audience to discuss important health (policy) topics. It’s a good idea to implement a set of community guidelines to encourage a respectful exchange of opinions.
• Encourage people to have political conversations within their social circles. It can feel daunting to talk about political or social issues with loved ones who hold different views — but there’s power in seeing an issue through the eyes of someone you care about. Consider sharing resources to help people start the conversation.
• Go vote — and encourage others to do the same. Casting your vote in local, state, and federal elections is one of the easiest and most important ways to influence the decisions that shape community health. Check out these customizable social media messages and graphics from the Public Health Communications Collaborative (PHCC) to use on your platforms. You can also link your audience to resources (like BallotReady or Vote 411) people can use to register to vote in their state, learn about what’s on the ballot, or find their polling place.

The bottom line: Just as health literacy empowers people to make informed decisions about their health, civic literacy empowers people to be thoughtful, engaged members of society. As health communicators, we can work to promote both

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Copy/paste to share on social (and tag us!): It’s election season — a great time to explore the concept of civic literacy and how health communicators can promote it. Check out CommunicateHealth’s post for more: https://communicatehealth.com/wehearthealthliteracy/civic-literacy #HealthLiteracy #HealthComm #GoVote