October is Health Literacy Month, a time to highlight the importance of making health information easier to understand and use.
Health literacy affects how people find, understand, and use health information and services. Health care professionals and organizations can support health literacy by using plain language, reducing jargon, and finding practical ways to communicate more clearly.
Ways to Celebrate Health Literacy Month
There are many ways to take part in Health Literacy Month. Whether you have a few minutes or are planning activities for your organization, we have some ideas for you:
- Take the #PlainPledge. Choose one jargon word or phrase you will replace with plain language and add it to our Jargon Jar. If you have taken the #PlainPledge before, choose a new word this year. Take the #PlainPledge.
- Talk about health literacy with your team. Share tips during staff meetings, huddles, newsletters, or other team communications. Check out our Health Literacy Month talking points to share with your team.
- Build your health literacy skills. Learn more about plain language, health literacy, and clear health communication through Center for Health Literacy resources and training opportunities.
- Stay connected. Follow the UAMS Center for Health Literacy on LinkedIn for health literacy tips, resources, training opportunities, and Center updates.
- Bring health literacy to your organization. Contact us to request a speaker or learn about training and other services.