Do people with limited literacy skills use the Web and/or other electronic means to access health information? Even if they want to, do they have the skills to do so? And can anything be done to help improve their experience?
Some of the following statements* are factual, and others are fictional. See if you know which are which. You may be surprised by what you learn.
Fact or fiction:
People with limited literacy skills are generally unwilling to use the Web to access health information.
This is fictional. More often than not, the poor design of Web sites—more than limited literacy skills—contributes to users’ challenges online. Simple navigation and clear content can help adults with limited literacy skills find, understand, and use health information on a Web site.
Fact or fiction:
People with limited literacy skills avoid searching.
This is factual. These users prefer to browse topics by using an alphabetical list (even if the list is long). Web sites should include both a search function and another way to browse the content, such as an A-to-Z list.
Fact or fiction:
People with limited literacy skills tend to view screen content in a random, erratic pattern.
This is fictional. People with limited literacy skills tend to have a narrow field of view. In addition, they usually don’t scroll. As a result, they see only the content in the center of the screen. It's important to keep key text above the “fold” (where it can be seen without scrolling) when possible. In addition, use only left and center navigation elements.
Fact or fiction:
Many Web users with limited literacy skills prefer reading from printouts of pages from a Web site to reading text on a computer screen.
This is factual. These Web users may also want to share health information with family members or friends who don't have access to a computer or may want to post it on their refrigerator. Provide a print link or icon and make it clearly visible. If possible, give users the option to print a single page, a complete section, or just a portion of the text.
Fact or fiction:
Offering information in multiple formats—such as audio clips, video clips, and slide shows—often overwhelms Web users with limited literacy skills.
This is fictional. It is actually beneficial to provide health information in multiple formats. Be sure to include a text alternative or a transcript.
Fact or fiction:
People with limited literacy skills will probably be intimidated by new media such as text messaging, blogs, Twitter, and webcasts.
While there has been little testing of new media with users with limited literacy, this statement is most likely fictional. What is known about new media leads literacy experts to believe it holds potential for reaching people with limited literacy skills for several reasons—for example, such communications are shorter (a Twitter message is 140 characters or less) and the tone is usually conversational.
How well were you able to separate fact from fiction? You can learn more about engaging users with interactive content.
*Adapted from Health Literacy Online: A guide to writing and designing easy-to-use health Web sites. US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Available at http://www.health.gov/healthliteracyonline/interactive.htm.
This blog is brought to you by HealthEd as part of our commitment to Health Literacy Month ... and to creating a healthier world. We are excited to share with you a series of tools, resources, and thought-provoking ideas. We hope you will join the conversation. Visit our health literacy page on HealthEd.com, watch for our blog updates, and follow us on Twitter.
Kevin Purcell
Copy Director
HealthEd
Nice work Kevin, have settled a few debates in the office actually!
Posted by: Lucy Bronk | 11/23/2012 at 06:49 AM