Foreword
About Health Literacy Online: 2nd Edition
Section 1. What We Know About Users with Limited Literacy Skills
- Introduction
- 1.1 Reading and cognitive processing challenges
- 1.2 Understanding navigation
- 1.3 Using search
- 1.4 Mobile considerations
- Summary
Section 2. Write Actionable Content
- Introduction
- 2.1 Identify user motivations and goals. Why are they here?
- 2.2 Put the most important information first.30
- 2.3 Describe the health behavior—just the basics.
- 2.4 Stay positive. Include the benefits of taking action.
- 2.5 Provide specific action steps.
- 2.6 Write in plain language.
- 2.7 Check content for accuracy.
- Summary
Section 3. Display Content Clearly on the Page
- Introduction
- 3.1 Limit paragraph size. Use bullets and short lists.
- 3.2 Use meaningful headings.
- 3.3 Use a readable font that’s at least 16 pixels.
- 3.4 Use white space and avoid clutter.
- 3.5 Keep the most important content above the fold—even on mobile.24,30
- 3.6 Use links effectively.
- 3.7 Use color or underline to identify links.
- 3.8 Use images that help people learn.
- 3.9 Use appropriate contrast.
- 3.10 Make web content printer friendly.
- 3.11 Make your site accessible to people with disabilities.
- 3.12 Make websites responsive.
- 3.13 Design mobile content to meet mobile users’ needs.
- Summary
Section 4. Organize Content and Simplify Navigation
- Introduction
- 4.1 Create a simple and engaging homepage.
- 4.2 Label and organize content with your users in mind.
- 4.3 Create linear information paths.
- 4.4 Give buttons meaningful labels.
- 4.5 Make clickable elements recognizable.
- 4.6 Make sure the browser “Back” button works.
- 4.7 Provide easy access to home and menu pages.
- 4.8 Give users options to browse.
- 4.9 Include a simple search function.
- 4.10 Display search results clearly.
- Summary
Section 5. Engage Users
- Introduction
- 5.1 Share information through multimedia.
- 5.2 Design intuitive interactive graphics and tools.
- 5.3 Provide tailored information.
- 5.4 Create user-friendly forms and quizzes.
- 5.5 Consider social media sharing options.
- Summary
Section 6. Test Your Site with Users with Limited Literacy Skills
- Introduction
- 6.1 Recruit users with limited literacy skills—and limited health literacy skills.
- 6.2 Identify and eliminate logistical barriers to participation.
- 6.3 Create plain language testing materials.
- 6.4 Test whether your content is understandable and actionable.
- 6.5 Use moderators who have experience with users with limited literacy skills.
- 6.6 Pretest your moderator’s guide.
- 6.7 Use multiple strategies to make sure participants understand what you want them to do.
- 6.8 Test on mobile.
- Summary
