Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.1 Nearly half of U.S. adults read between a 7th- and 8th-grade reading level, but health information is often delivered at a 10th-grade level or higher.2 October is […]
Health and science communication best practices include developing communication that is respectful, inclusive, and accessible to your audience. Here are some resources to support your regular communication with patients and research participants using inclusive and preferred language. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Inclusive Communication Principles include key principles for general communication and preferred terms for select […]
As a researcher, you communicate your work to a wide variety of people daily. Besides engaging in jargon-rich discussions with your peers, you might share your research on a personal website, talk about it at a community event, or write about it on social media. Plain language can help you reach beyond academia and ensure […]
Do you know someone who is passionate about helping scientists effectively share the benefits and impact of their work to diverse audiences? Becker Library’s Center for Health and Science Communication is expanding its capacity to further enhance its services around science communication and is actively seeking candidates for its new position.
A recommended first step toward using a common language is to avoid jargon and explain unfamiliar terms. Research and medical glossaries are great resources to simplify and explain common terms related to your work. Here are a few to get you started.
Have you wondered how to improve the documents and forms your department shares with research participants and patients? Plain language is one of the best tools to ensure your writing is clear and accessible to all. Research shows it can increase research participation, improve adherence, and overall, lead to better health outcomes. A few of […]
Becker Library recently hosted its first #SciComm Week to launch its new Center for Health and Science Communication. Three exceptional science communicators shared their expertise for the series. Here are a few highlights from the presentations. Transforming Slide Design Melissa Marshall, Founder of Present Your Science, kicked off the week by sharing the assertion-evidence slide design […]
We communicate numbers daily in healthcare and clinical research. Patients and research participants are asked to decipher their risk reduction, manage their medication dosing, understand their lab results and much more. Yet, nine out of ten U.S. adults do not have the appropriate numeracy skills for these situations.1 So how can we help our […]
In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the general public has been asked to learn many public health terms. “Novel virus,” “social distancing” and “contact tracing” are now part of our everyday language. Meanwhile, we know that the average adult struggles to understand health information. But it is even more complex when communicating about a […]