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Helen Osborne's award-winning book is thought by many to be the most important health literacy text today.
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Available in print and as an e-book at most online bookstores. Order your copy today!
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Welcome! How is writing in plain language like photographing a flower?
To me, these tasks share a lot in common. We need to decide where to focus. We need to notice patterns and use repetition. We need to decide what to crop out and leave in. And we need to do all this in a manner that is pleasing, engaging, and meaningful to others.
Whether taking photos or writing in plain language, it takes know-how and creativity to do these tasks well. Thanks for wanting to know what's new in Health Literacy Consulting.
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HLC How-To
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"The Ethics of Simplicity." In many ways, plain language writers act as translators of scientific and medical information---communicating complicated health information in a manner that is sufficiently clear for "average" readers to understand. It is much more than just using simpler words. It is about writing in ways that acknowledge and respect our readers.
The "ethics of simplicity" is a term I came up with to describe the goals we strive for as plain language writers. Learn more in July's HLC How-To Tip.
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HLOL Podcasts
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Health Literacy Out Loud (HLOL). Listen to and learn from my audio interviews with those in the know about health literacy. New episodes include:
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HL Hero
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The Health Literacy Hero award for July goes to Health Information Translations--an online resource providing plain language health education resources for health care professionals working with limited English proficient populations. This is a collaboration of health education specialists from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Mount Carmel Health System, OhioHealth, and Nationwide Children's Hospital. https://www.healthinfotranslations.org gives free access to 3,000+ documents written in up to 18 languages. First page of each document is English, followed by a translated page. Resources are the majority of the National Library of Medicine Medline Plus Multiple Language inventory. The Joint Commission recommends this site as a resource for translated patient education materials. Health Information Translations is looking for funding to sustain and grow this valuable resource. Contact Diane Moyer, MS, RN, to share ideas and learn more. Thanks to Janice Card (newsletter subscriber) for letting me know about Health Literacy Translations. Who is your Health Literacy Hero?
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HL Month
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 Health Literacy Month. October is HLMonth. Now's a great time to start planning your awareness-raising event. This year's theme is "Be a Health Literacy Hero." You are welcome to use the official Health Literacy Month logo (to the left) and my image of a Health Literacy Hero (above). Email me if you want file(s) for either or both of these graphics. Want more HLMonth ideas? Here are two resources:
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HL Conference
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 Plain Talk 2013. The Center for Health Literacy at MAXIMUS, in collaboration with APHA, is hosting its 4th annual conference focused health communication to be held in Arlington, VA on September 26 & 27, 2013.
There will be lots of great speakers on themes of patient-provider communication, usability, accessibility, and more. I'll also be there, leading two workshops: "Multiplying Our Strategies to Communicate Numbers" and "A Conversation About Podcasting." Learn more and register for this conference at the PlainTalk website. See you there!
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Thanks for subscribing to What's New in Health Literacy Consulting. Please forward this newsletter to colleagues, friends, and all who care about clearly communicating health information. Encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter, too. Until August, ~Helen
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