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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>

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