Health literacy… it’s not just plain English
December 18, 2017 | Patient-centric, Patient-centricity, data visualisation, health literacy, patient engagement, patient focus
In this day and age, you would think that clear communication would be second nature to us all, but this is not so. In our digital world misunderstanding and confusion can easily occur, especially when dealing with medical information.
Healthcare is complicated, full stop. Bursting with complicated language, random abbreviations, medical jargon and complex statistics, it is no wonder many people find health information so difficult to understand. This struggle becomes even more difficult when you are suffering from an illness or being treated for a chronic condition.
This is where health literacy plays a vital role. It ensures that patients understand the information they have been given but most importantly that they can act upon it. Defined as the communication of health information in ways that others can understand and act on, ‘health literacy’ is a crucial step in helping your patients make informed choices about their own health.
However, health literacy is not just about plain English, it is also about putting the right words into context and simple visualisation to ensure your target audience get the most out of the communication materials you produce.
In this article, we want to share with you some great examples that show when done well, how context and simple clear visualisation can really make a difference.
Blood Test Results
David McCandless, the author of Information is Beautiful and Knowledge is Beautiful, and Stefanie Posavec demonstrate how simple graphics can be used to explain complex medical information. Many of us have been on the receiving end of blood test results, only to be given a sheet of meaningless numbers and figures and told not to worry as everything is fine. But how do you really know everything is fine and there is nothing to worry about?
They took a complex blood test result and transformed it into something that is easy to read, understand and act on; all principles of health literacy.
Blood Test Results – a breakdown
Blood Test Results mark 2
The second example we have chosen by Mucca Design takes another complex set of blood test results and transforms them into an understandable document. Along with clear and concise language, we like the way this example highlights the benefits of simple graphics to explain complex data.
Blood Test Results mark 2 – a breakdown
www.clinicaltrialsexplained.com
This is an example which we are really proud of. Following the success and endorsement by the Clinical and Contract Research Association (CCRA) of our e-book, we developed a supporting website. The website showcases how health literacy principles can be used successfully across different media to ensure information is understandable for all.
By keeping the website design clean and using splashes of colour for the icons and graphics alongside the use of simple language, we ensured that key points are not lost in a sea of information. 
www.clinicaltrialsexplained.com – a breakdown
Top 5 tips for creating great health literacy pieces
1) Write copy in plain English
2) Always provide context
3) Use clear visualisation and simple graphics
4) Use lots of white space for clarity
5) Include a call to action
A final word
As a healthcare communications agency we have a responsibility to take away the fear of the unknown and ensure patients understand the health information they have been given and when to act.
However, as we have highlighted in this article, understanding health information is not just about using plain English. Visualisation and putting the right words into context are key to maximising accessibility.
By using these principles, we can all help people feel more in control of the choices they make about their own health and actually make a difference to their lives. At the end of the day isn’t that what we all want as patients?
If you would like to find out more email us at letstalk@cuttsyandcuttsy.com
Authors: Dr Liz Walder and Sarah Gracey
Company Details
Latest Content from Cuttsy + Cuttsy
From text to context: Helping patients see side effects clearly
Discover how thoughtful design, clear language, and structured visuals can transform overwhelming side effect information into accessible, actionable insights for patients in our latest Health Literacy series.
Why patient engagement must come first in rare disease trials
Explore why patient engagement is the cornerstone of successful rare disease trials, emphasising the importance of designing studies around the realities of patients' lives to build trust and improve outcomes.
New Cuttsy+Cuttsy research shows why site support matters more than ever
Cuttsy+Cuttsy's upcoming report, 'The site factor: Where protocol meets practice in clinical trials', delves into the critical role of site staff in clinical research, offering insights into their daily challenges,...
Cuttsy+Cuttsy becomes employee owned
Cuttsy+Cuttsy announces its transition to employee ownership, celebrating 15 years of prioritising clients, patients, and its team while continuing under the leadership of founders Caroline Benson and Mathew Cutts.
Clinical research in 2026: The trends shaping tomorrow
Discover the key trends shaping clinical research in 2026, from patient-centric approaches to empowering site staff and fostering stronger human connections.
From overwhelming to actionable: Bringing lifestyle guidance to life
Discover how clear communication and health literacy principles can transform complex patient materials into simple, engaging, and empowering health information.
Behind the scenes: why we created ‘The participation equation’
Go behind the scenes of The participation equation – our call to put people, not just data, at the heart of clinical research.
Cuttsy+Cuttsy launches R:SQD – a new way to predict and improve trial success
Cuttsy+Cuttsy has launched R:SQD, an innovative recruitment and retention success scoring tool that helps clinical trial sponsors predict, measure, and improve participant engagement and trial outcomes.
New report, The participation equation, uncovers key drivers of patient engagement in clinical trials
Cuttsy+Cuttsy’s new report, The participation equation, uncovers what drives patient engagement and retention in modern clinical trials through insights from over 700 participants and industry experts.
Why patients drop out of weight management trials and what you can do about it
Discover the key barriers to retention in obesity and weight-management trials and explore actionable, patient-centered strategies to improve engagement, outcomes, and data reliability.