Health Literacy Institute

Providing Health Literacy & Plain Language Consulting, Training, and Materials Development

The Health Literacy Institute, established at UNE in the early 1990’s, joined CHPPR in 2007.  The Institute brings a national reputation in clear health communication that complements CHPPR’s research and policy initiatives.

We work with health organizations to:
  • Assess internal and external communication needs
  • Plan strategies to meet those needs
  • Develop, design, and test plain language materials and media
  • Present at conferences and interdisciplinary forums
  • Teach plain language communication skills
Our prize winning track record includes:
  • 17 + years serving the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors
  • Award-winning plain language projects
  • A national health literacy/plain language training institute held twice each year in June and October
  • Participation in research and advocacy
  • Publication in professional journals
  • Reputation for excellence
Health literacy is everyone’s problem.
Almost half of American adults have limited literacy skills and lack the ability to read, comprehend, and use health brochures, medicine labels and directions, consent forms, instruction sheets, etc. The other half are often confused by the unfamiliar environment of health and medicine, the complexity of self-care, and stress. The Joint Commission and the American Medical Association identify health literacy as fundamental to:
  • Patient safety
  • Patient-centered care
  • Accreditation and legal compliance
  • Cost-effective business practice
  • Satisfied care givers and patients.

Plain language is the first best solution for clear health communication.
Plain language?for text, web, media, phone systems, patient teaching?promotes consumer understanding, the first step in effective care. This does not mean that information is “dumbed down.” Rather, it’s using evidence-based language tools to create messages and materials accessible to a broad public audience.

Contact us for more information about how we can help your health organization communicate effectively with all your customers. You’ll save time and money, meet safety and quality standards, and generate customer loyalty.

Read recent publication: "Plain Language: A Solution to the Health Literacy Challenge"
www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/journal/v28/n1/pdf/3200102a.pdf

 

   
     

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