LibGuides: Health Literacy and Plain Language for Health: Welcome

Health Literacy and Plain Language for Health

This guide is for students in the Health Sciences wanting to learn more about health literacy and creating linguistically and culturally appropriate resources.

Click on any of the tabs to navigate this guide. Don't hesitate to contact a librarian if you have any questions. Librarians are available in the Research Center on the 2nd floor of McQuade Library.

Good luck with your research!

C.J. Wong, M.S., M.S.
Health Sciences Liaison Librarian

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Plain Language and Health Literacy Resources

Plain Language .gov
Comprehensive resource to educate yourself about plain language.
CDC Health Literacy
Health literacy resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
NIH Plain Language Resources
Plain language training and resources from the National Institutes of Health.
Think Cultural Cultural Health
Aimed to educate about the CLAS standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
Ten Attributes of Health Literate Health Care Organizations
Read this discussion paper to learn more about health literate health care organizations.

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Brach, C., Keller, D., Hernandez, L. M., Baur, C., Dreyer, B., Schyve, P., ... & Schillinger, D. (2012). Ten attributes of health literate health care organizations. Washington, DC: Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Consumer Health Information in Many Languages Resources
Librarian created list of citizen level health information resources in multiple languages.
HealthReach Health Information in Many Languages

MedlinePlus

MedlinePlus
Health information provided by the NIH National Library of Medicine. Entire site can be converted to Spanish and many resources in multiple languages available.
Health Information in Multiple Languages from MedlinePlus
Find health information in multiple languages here.

Cultural Humility: People, Principles, & Practices from filmmaker Vivian Chavez

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education.
An important article by Tervalon and Murray-García on cultural humility.

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Tervalon, M., & Murray-Garcia, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: a critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 9(2), 117-125.
Cultural humility: essential foundation for clinical researchers.
Article on cultural humility in reserach with human subjects. Includes mindfulness exercise at the end.
Cultural awareness workshops: limitations and practical consequences
Newer debate article with suggestions for improvement.

Health Literacy and Plain Language Electronic Books @McQuade

Health Literacy in Nursing by Terri Ann Parnell
Call Number: Click to read.
ISBN: 9780826161734
Publication Date: 2014-07-01
Includes health literacy history, definitions, and models as well as sections on oral communications, written communications, and working with unique populations.
Health literacy among older adults by Karen Kopera-Frye, PhD
Call Number: Click to read.
ISBN: 9780826194527
Publication Date: 2017
Includes health literacy from a variety of disciplines relating to older adults including OT, radiographic imaging, speech, and hearing. Includes sections on understanding medications and treatments, prosthetic devices, healthy living for older adults, and cultural competencies.
Plain Language, Please by Janet C. Arrowood
ISBN: 9781475824759
Publication Date: 2016-07-28
Covers the basics of writing in Plain Language.

Health Literacy Print Books @McQuade

Health Literacy from A to Z by Helen Osborne
Call Number: RA440 .O825 2013
ISBN: 9781449600532
Publication Date: 2011-10-21
Strategies, ideas, and practical suggestions for health communications.
The 60-Minute Guide to Health Literacy by Jo Kline
Call Number: R723.5 .H80 2017
ISBN: 9780692955062
Publication Date: 2017-10-15
Especially helpful for those looking for resources about informed decision making.
Advancing Health Literacy by David S. Greer; Andrew F. Pleasant; Christina Zarcadoolas
Call Number: RA440.5 .Z37 2006
ISBN: 0787984337
Publication Date: 2006-06-16
History, examples, guidelines for health literacy programs.

Health Literacy and Plain Language for Health

Health Literacy Tool Shed

Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast

Evaluating Health Information

Librarian

Related GVRL Ebooks

Health Literacy and Plain Language for Health

Plain Language and Health Literacy Resources

MedlinePlus

Cultural Humility: People, Principles, & Practices from filmmaker Vivian Chavez

Cultural Humility

Health Literacy and Plain Language Electronic Books @McQuade

Health Literacy Print Books @McQuade