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
A month of insights: Key takeaways from May’s conferences
Explore key insights from some of May’s top healthcare conferences, covering patient engagement, health equity, co-creation, and tech innovation shaping clinical trials.
Cuttsy+Cuttsy and ISPEP highlight key patient insights in new clinical trials report
Explore how Cuttsy+Cuttsy and ISPEP are spotlighting patient engagement in clinical trials through a new global report.
Motivations that matter: Understanding clinical trial participation to create better research
Understanding why people join clinical trials is essential to improving recruitment and designing better research. Explores the diverse motivations driving participation — from altruism and hope for better health to...
Cuttsy+Cuttsy welcomes new team members and celebrates a familiar face returning
Cuttsy+Cuttsy proudly announces the expansion of its team with the addition of three new hires—Michelle, Jay, and Emily—and the welcome return of former team member Sally as Account Director.
AI and away we go: key insights from Reuters Pharma 2025
AI is revolutionising the pharmaceutical industry, as highlighted at Reuters Pharma 2025, with transformative applications across marketing, drug discovery, and patient engagement, despite challenges in adoption, regulation, and data trust.
Exciting updates from our content and strategy team
Cuttsy+Cuttsy celebrates new beginnings with the appointment of Oli Bailey as Strategy Director and recognises team excellence through several well-deserved promotions.
How is generative AI transforming clinical trials?
Discover how generative AI is revolutionising clinical trials, from enhancing patient recruitment to improving data analysis.
Content for all – how to connect with neurodiverse audiences
Discover essential strategies for crafting inclusive and accessible written content tailored for neurodivergent readers.
Cuttsy+Cuttsy launches ccura: AI powered, always human
Cuttsy+Cuttsy introduces ccura, an AI-powered healthcare communications platform that blends technology with human expertise to enhance collaboration, streamline workflows, and deliver patient-focused, high-quality solutions with security and compliance at its...
Two Sides of the Same Coin: Patient Engagement vs Patient Involvement
Unpack the difference between patient engagement and patient involvement.