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Plain Language: A Strategic Response to the Health Literacy Challenge

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Abstract

Low health literacy is a major challenge confronting American and international health organizations. Research in the past decade has documented the prevalence of limited literacy and limited health literacy skills among adults worldwide. This creates a major policy challenge: how to create text-based health information – a common method of health communication – that is accessible to the public. Plain language is a logical, flexible response. While touted by American, Canadian, and European health policy makers, adoption and promotion of plain language standards and skills in health-focused organizations have lagged. Most text-based health information continues to be too hard for most adults to read. Barriers to more rapid diffusion of plain language are reflected in a set of myths perpetuated by critics. These myths are identified and refuted. While plain language is only one of many broad-based solutions needed to address low health literacy, the benefits to everyone demand increased use by health organizations.

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  1. AHEC Health Literacy Center, University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford, 04005, ME, USA

    Sue Stableford

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  1. Sue Stableford
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  2. Wendy Mettger
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Correspondence to Sue Stableford.

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Distinctly different than simple language, the authors explain the utility for public health of this increasingly popular concept.

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Stableford, S., Mettger, W. Plain Language: A Strategic Response to the Health Literacy Challenge. J Public Health Pol 28, 71–93 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jphp.3200102

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