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HLC How-To

HLOL Podcasts

HL Hero

HL Resources

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Helen Osborne's
award-winning book is considered

by many as the most important health literacy text today.

Available in print and as an e-book at most online bookstores. Order your copy today!

October, 2013

October is Health Literacy Month!

Health Literacy Month is a time for advocates everywhere to raise awareness about the importance of understandable health information.

There is no right or wrong way to participate. You are welcome to raise awareness in whatever ways meet the needs of your audience and accomplish your goals.

Happy Health Literacy Month. And thanks for wanting to know what's new in Health Literacy Consulting.

HLC How-To

"Plain Language: Writing in Ways Others Can Understand." As defined on the website, PLAIN (Plain Language Association International), plain language is "a way of communicating that everyone in your audience can easily understand."

To me, plain language is both a science (following well-tested rules) and an art (applying these rules in engaging and appealing ways). October's How-To Tip looks at ways to do just that.

HLOL Podcasts

Health Literacy Out Loud (HLOL). Listen to and learn from my audio interviews with those "in the know" about health literacy. New episodes include:

Subscribe for free. Free HLOL transcripts.

HL Hero

For October 2013, I am honoring the concept of partnership and collaboration as a Health Literacy Hero. I knew from the start of this initiative that the best way to raise health literacy awareness was by doing so together. How right I was. And still am.

Since 1999, healthcare providers, patients, family members, caregivers, teachers, students, librarians, public health agencies, religious organizations, community agencies, businesses, broadcasters, government groups, elected leaders, the public, and so many others have worked in partnership to collectively raise awareness about the importance of understandable health information.

Because of our combined efforts, thousands of people worldwide now know about health literacy and why it matters. And an increasing number are communicating health messages more clearly. Collaboration is key to this success. As I often say, "Together we can, and do, make a big difference." Thanks for all you do. You indeed are Health Literacy Heroes!

Learn more about Health Literacy Month and Health Literacy Heroes.

HL Resources

As everyone in the U.S. no doubt knows, October is the start of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as ObamaCare. Here's a resource from the Institute of Medicine that clearly explains this new law.

Want to know more about ways to make choosing a health plan easier and more consumer-friendly? Lynn Quincy, a senior health policy analyst for Consumers Union, explains the process in this HLOL podcast.

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.

Happy Health Literacy Month!
Until November, ~Helen