Category: We Heart Health Literacy

Here at We ❤ Health Literacy Headquarters, we talk a lot about how to empower people to improve their health. We love encouraging folks to take positive steps toward a healthier life. But, dear readers, there’s a big difference between encouraging people to make healthy changes and making them feel ashamed because they’re not healthy.

In one study of doctor-patient interactions, half the participants could remember a time when a visit to the doctor made them feel ashamed. Obviously, shame and guilt are feelings that we generally try to avoid. So if your experience with your doctor makes you feel ashamed about a health problem or a not-so-healthy habit you’ve picked up, how motivated will you be to keep going to that doctor for help?

Whether a condition or risk factor is minor or life-threatening, anything involving our bodies is inherently personal. And even things that may be easy for some people to do (John really didn’t have a problem ditching his soda habit for seltzer!) can be really difficult for others (Moira got so stressed trying to give up soda that she doubled her intake!).

That’s why it’s best to motivate your readers to make a positive change by showing them that it’s possible, not by rehashing ad nauseam all the reasons why what they’re doing is bad. (Spoiler alert, lots of people already know.)

We’ve shared advice on making your health messages positive and writing about sensitive topics before. Here are some of our favorite tips for positive and encouraging health writing:

• Take the word “should” out of your health writing. It sets a negative tone and can make readers feel like they’ve already done something wrong.
• Soften tough messages by using a positive, hopeful tone. Give your readers a reason to adopt a positive health behavior.
• Acknowledge your readers’ emotions. Fear and shame can keep people from making healthy choices, but you can help your readers by acknowledging how they feel.

Consider the differences between these 2 statements:

• “If you don’t start getting more physical activity, you’re going to keep having [insert various health problems here].”
• “Lots of people have trouble finding time to get physical activity. Try taking a short walk every day after dinner — even 5 minutes of activity can boost your mood and energy!”

Enough said, right?

The bottom line: Positivity and empowerment are more motivating than shame and guilt when it comes to encouraging healthy change.

Tweet about it: For shame! @CommunicateHlth says skip the guilt trip and focus on empowering people to make healthy changes: https://bit.ly/2BzjaGM #HealthLit

We’ve written a lot in the past about behavior change theories, like Planned Behavior and the Stages of Change. We’ve talked about how behaviors are shaped by the social and physical environments we’re exposed to. And we know that no matter how well we communicate the risks, people will still sometimes do things that are harmful.

That’s why we’re talking about harm reduction this week. It’s a strategy for making risky behaviors a bit less risky — and it’s a great tool for health literacy advocates like you, dear readers.

The idea is that people are going to make their own choices regardless of what lawmakers, health professionals, or anyone else tells them to do. So while we try to help people stop doing dangerous things, our work as health communicators doesn’t always end there. Sometimes, it also makes sense to help people lower their risk of negative health consequences when they don’t plan to — or aren’t able to — stop a risky behavior altogether.

The harm reduction approach was originally developed as a response to substance abuse and its public health implications: think needle exchange programs and supervised injection sites that help prevent infections and overdoses. But harm reduction principles can apply to other things, too — like risky sexual behaviors.

What could it look like to use harm reduction strategies in health communication materials, you ask? Let’s say you’re writing a webpage for people trying to manage alcohol addiction. Of course you will:

• Include encouraging words about how stopping is possible
• Note the health and safety benefits of not drinking
• Offer resources for how to get help

But what about also including content to reduce harm for people who are still drinking too much? You could say:

“It can be hard to stop drinking completely. If you do drink, take steps to stay safe — for example, give your car keys to a friend before you start drinking.”

A harm reduction perspective acknowledges the gray area around risky behaviors — it’s not all or nothing. Even if people are doing something that public health professionals unequivocally agree is dangerous, it’s still possible for them to do it in a less dangerous way. Harm reduction can help us meet people where they are with the information and tools they need.

And doesn’t that sound like just the sort of thing we ❤?

The bottom line: Harm reduction means giving people tools to stay safer when they do things that aren’t 100% safe.

Tweet about it: Harm reduction is a useful #HealthLit strategy to keep in mind as we continue to #communicateCOVID. @CommunicateHlth explains: https://bit.ly/2WscAKZ

Have you ever considered how many choices you make each day? From the moment you wake up, you’re making choices large and small (starting, perhaps, with whether or not to snooze your alarm!).

As health communicators, our job is to make it easier for people to make healthy choices. And the way we offer those choices can influence the decisions people make — this, dear readers, is called choice architecture.

Let’s look at an example. Jane might be more likely to recycle her empty can of seltzer instead of throwing it out if there’s a recycling bin next to the trash can. She might be even more likely to recycle if the bin has a label with examples of recyclable items! The choice Jane is making is how to dispose of her can. The choice architecture is everything from the kinds of receptacles available to where they’re located — and even how often they’re emptied.

Smart choice architecture can have a positive impact on health. Consider organ donation: studies have shown that countries that automatically opt people in to their organ donation program have much higher donation rates than those that require people to take the extra step of signing up on their own.

One way that health communicators can use the concept of choice architecture is by considering what action we want our audiences to take and creating tools or resources that make it easier for them to do so. For example, if you want someone to talk to their doctor about a health screening, give them a printable or mobile-friendly list of questions to ask.

The bottom line: Use the concept of choice architecture to help audiences make healthy choices — easily!

Tweet about it: What does “choice architecture” mean for #HealthLit? @CommunicateHlth explains: https://bit.ly/2TemDB5

In this installment of our occasional series of posts about how to build your own website, we’re talking about the almighty “look and feel.”

What’s that, you ask? Well, the “look” of a site refers to its visual design aspects — like the color palette, font choice, and image style. The “feel” refers to interactivity and functionality, like how buttons work, as well as the overall vibe of the site.

As you know, dear readers, first impressions matter — and that goes for websites, too. How your site looks and functions can cause users to stay and explore . . . or to leave right away. So when you’re planning the look and feel of your site, keep these tips in mind:

• Think about your audience. Who will be visiting this site? If the site’s for kids, think about bright colors and fun animation to keep youngsters engaged. But if you’re building a website for teenagers, consider using a more sophisticated color palette with photographs or realistic illustrations. In other words, give ’em what they want.
• Make it quick. You know what users really ❤? A site with a fast load time (the time it takes a browser to open a webpage). Things like image files and widgets increase load time — so sometimes, it’s best to keep it simple. And don’t forget to factor in the type of device your visitors are likely to be using.
• Be consistent. Stick with the same font choice and icon style throughout — and keep the navigation consistent, too. If you’ve decided that external links should open in a new browser tab, make sure that’s true across the board.
• Design for plain language. Remember, visual design is an important part of effective plain language materials. Use simple, familiar typography — and don’t be afraid of some white space.

Finally, remember it’s a process — and there’s always room for improvement. Consider doing usability testing before and after launch to make sure your website looks and works the way users expect it to.

The bottom line: To keep your website users coming back, take time to develop a look and feel that meets their expectations.

Tweet: Tips from @CommunicateHlth for developing a #HealthLit look and feel that keeps users coming back for more: https://bit.ly/2TY4jMM

Get this: tobacco use is still the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes about 1 in 5 deaths each year — and that includes deaths caused by breathing in secondhand smoke.

Tobacco use and quitting smoking can be tricky topics to cover — but it’s super important that we do it well, dear readers. Here are a few things to consider when writing plain language content about smoking and tobacco use.

• Be compassionate. Quitting smoking is a journey, and that journey is different for everyone. So keep your tone empathetic and avoid sounding condescending or judgmental. Remember, we’re talking about an addiction — try to put yourself in the shoes of people who smoke and use that perspective to inspire them to quit.
• Use person-first language. Rely on phrases like “people who smoke” or “people who use tobacco.” Skip terms like “smokers” or “users,” which imply that using tobacco defines who someone is.
• Keep it brief. When you’re writing for people who are trying to quit smoking, keep in mind that your readers may be dealing with withdrawal symptoms like stress, anxiety, and mood swings. Since mental and physical challenges can affect people’s ability to process information (hello, health literacy!), home in on the need-to-know content that will motivate readers to meet their goals — and skip the nice-to-know information for now.
• Focus on the benefits. Quitting smoking has many health benefits. Try clearer skin, a healthier heart, slowed-down lung damage, a stronger immune system, and breaking the cycle of addiction. That’s just to name a few! Emphasizing the benefits of quitting can be a helpful reminder — and an extra push — for people who want to quit smoking.
• Remember friends and family. Friends and family members can play a huge role by encouraging their loved ones to quit smoking — so consider creating some content for them, too. Their support can go a long way in helping people who smoke kick the habit for good.

The bottom line: When it comes to communicating about smoking and tobacco use, meet your readers where they are.

Tweet about it: Check out @CommunicateHlth’s #HealthLit tips for communicating about smoking and tobacco use: https://bit.ly/2AEMvyN

Dear readers,

What on earth would we do without you? Well, at the moment, 2 things come immediately to mind. Without you, we would not:

• Have the best time writing (and doodling!) We ❤ Health Literacy posts for your viewing pleasure every week
• Write a health literacy-themed spin on Auld Lang Syne to share our happy holiday wishes with you (see below)

Whew, it’s a really good thing you’re all here.

Happy holidays to you and yours from all of us here at We ❤ Health Literacy Headquarters. We hope you enjoy the song — and our inspired “dance” moves. Cheers!

Here at We ❤ Health Literacy Headquarters, we work hard to eliminate big, scary words from health writing. So today, we’re urging you to take the word “contraception” out of your content-writing vocabulary. Why? Because there’s almost always a more conversational or descriptive term you can use.

Before you use the word “contraception,” ask yourself how often you hear people say the following things:

• “I’d like a prescription for contraception.”
• “I’m going to the pharmacy to pick up my contraception.”
• “Oh no, I’m out of contraception!”
• “I’m trying to get pregnant, so I’ve stopped taking my contraception.”

See, dear readers? Most people just don’t use the word “contraception” in everyday speech. So when you write about this topic, it’s better to use the terms that your audience would, like:

• Birth control pills
• IUDs
• Condoms

If you’re talking about contraception, you may be promoting or describing certain methods, like the ones listed above. But if you’re talking about it in general, just say “birth control.”

In any case, be sure you know your audience, understand what they’re looking for, and use terms they’re familiar with. When your readers are comfortable with the words you’re using and can easily understand the information, they’re better able to make positive health decisions.

The bottom line: “Contraception” is a big, unwelcoming word — so use terms that are more descriptive or conversational instead.

Tweet about it: Swapping the word “contraception” for simpler, more familiar terms is important for #HealthLit, says @CommunicateHlth: https://bit.ly/2V1ddKx

As you know, dear readers, people use data to make important decisions about their health every day. But the information we get from data analysis is often complex and hard to understand — especially if it’s talking about numbers.

Enter data visualization! Put simply, data visualization means using images (like graphs, charts, and other visual elements) to help people understand data. There are many things that contribute to an effective data visualization, including how the information is organized and what the visualization is called. Today, we’re focusing on color.

One way to use color is to build on the associations people have with certain hues. This map of fall foliage predictions uses green for “no change” and red for “peak.” These choices match our intuitive understanding of what the labels mean, which makes the visualization effective and easy to grasp.

To show trends or a range of numbers, try using color gradients. The map below shows how many gun laws exist in each state, with lighter shades indicating lower numbers and darker shades indicating higher numbers.

If you’re going with a gradient, keep in mind that color contrast can be an accessibility issue. To increase accessibility, add keyboard focus and mouse hover states with text descriptions. You can also incorporate texture or pattern differences (in addition to color changes) to make the distinctions extra apparent!

You can also use a lack of color help visualize data. For example — in the image below showing the proportion of people who use technology to track their health, notice how the one colorful person stands out.

To summarize, keep these tips in mind when visualizing data:

• Choose colors that make sense for the data you’re presenting
• Use color gradients to show trends or a range of numbers — and add pattern or texture differences to increase accessibility
• Add keyboard focus and mouse hover states with text descriptions to support understanding
• Contrast bold colors with neutral colors to emphasize information

The bottom line: Colors are your allies for helping people understand data visualizations.

Tweet about it: Data can be complicated, but colors can help! @CommunicateHlth talks about data visualization for #HealthLit: https://bit.ly/2zWlxCK

In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made a front page-worthy decision that’s still worth noting today. In response to efforts by HIV activists, CDC decided to officially update its term for sex without a condom — from “unprotected sex” to “condomless sex.” (We love this so much that we almost want to use all caps to tell you how much. But we won’t.)

Why did this decision thrill us here at We ❤ Health Literacy Headquarters, even though the major news outlets in this country don’t think health literacy is front-page news? Because, dear readers, when people say “unprotected sex” in health information, what they’re actually talking about is sex without a condom.

“Unprotected” is a vague — and potentially misleading — term where sex is concerned. Consider these scenarios:

• A woman who’s on the pill has sex with a man, and they don’t use a condom. She may be protected from pregnancy, but she could still get an STD. Did she have protected sex or unprotected sex?
• A man has sex with his monogamous partner who’s HIV-positive. They don’t use a condom, but his partner has an extremely low level of HIV in his blood — and they’re both taking preventive medicines. Would it really be accurate to say that’s unprotected sex?

Interesting questions, right? And maybe even a little loaded since the word “unprotected” can convey a bit of judgment or blame — if you’re doing something “unprotected,” the implication is you’re being careless.

So CDC has sent the vague “unprotected sex” packing, replacing it with exactly what they mean: “condomless sex.” Although we prefer the phrase “sex without a condom,” this change is a huge improvement — and will hopefully be adopted by every sex ed teacher in the land.

This is a prime example of health literacy in action — and why it matters.

The bottom line: “Condomless sex” is more specific than “unprotected sex,” and it takes away the blame.

Tweet about it: This week from @CommunicateHlth: when you’re talking about sex without a condom, follow the CDC’s lead and say “condomless sex” instead of “unprotected sex”! https://bit.ly/2zKTJRF

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “body mapping”? Do you picture an anatomical diagram — or perhaps a full-body tattoo? If so, you’re not too far off, dear readers.

Body mapping is a qualitative research method in which each participant makes a life-size drawing or painting of their own body. After making an outline, they fill in this “body map” with images, symbols, and words. By the end, they’ve created an image that represents multiple aspects of their embodied experience and their unique view of life.

Jane Solomon pioneered body mapping as an art therapy method while working with HIV-positive people in southern Africa. The technique has since grown into a versatile tool for storytelling, teaching, communication, and research that’s used around the world.

How can body mapping inform public health research? You may want to consider this method if you’re planning a community-based project dealing with health indicators or perceived health risks. It’s a good way to gather data about participants’ personal health journeys — as well as the social, political, and economic influences in their lives.

There are many ways to do body mapping, but Solomon’s guidelines list 3 main elements:

• The body map
• A testimonio, or short first-person narrative
• A key for interpreting the images and words on the body map

We see body mapping as a win-win for participants and researchers. The process empowers individuals to share their stories and encourages them to reflect on their health choices or goals. And if you’re a researcher, it can uncover information you never even knew to ask about.

Plus, since the technique focuses on images instead of words, it’s great for overcoming language barriers or accommodating a range of health literacy skills. Count us in!

The bottom line: Body mapping can lead to rich insights and powerful data about participants’ experiences.

Tweet about it: What’s so special about body mapping? @CommunicateHlth discusses how this type of visual storytelling can enhance #HealthLit and research: https://bit.ly/2Rt9lA8