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Date: | Thu, 28 Nov 2013 22:04:55 +1000 |
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Yes, that's right, we aimed for 5th grade. A 5th or 6th grade reading level
is recommended in the US for health information in print form. There are
good reasons for this - functional illiterary is at very similar levels in
the US and Australia, and it commonly isn't recognised that an individual
person struggles with reading instructions. Add to that, consumers of health
information are often stressed or tired, e.g. new mothers and sick people,
and tiredness or feeling unwell are barriers to taking the information in.
We should be doing the same here in Australia as regards appropriate reading
levels, but printed health information is still pitched too high for the
general public. I found this when I analysed a representative selection of
short informational material for mothers on breastfeeding, from the end if
last century and the beginning of this new century. Information from
commercial entities was pitched lower than that from the health sector, and
the highest reading levels were from a mother-support organisation.
Commercial entities with something to sell know how to reach potential
consumers.
When I was on an consumer advisory panel on a different aspect of health, I
repeatedly advocated for a lower literacy level for information sheets - but
nothing happened. Important information needs to be at an easy reading
level, lots of white space, so that tired new Mums can take it in. I have
given Inside Tracks at Grade 5 reading level to highly educated mothers, who
haven't even noticed it is at that level and have thought it helpful.
Virginia
Judy LeVan Fram wrote:
> Maya writes:
>
> ILCA's Inside Tracks are great source of information. They are usually
> one page, have pictures and are translated in multiple languages.
> Excellent. Also if I remember correctly, they have to be at a 5th grade
> reading level...
>
> Peace,
> Judy
>
> ***********************************************
>
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