Health Literacy

This can be done in Word through the spelling and grammar tool. It looks at the reading ease and the grade level of the document.

The Fry Readability Formula assigns an approximate grade reading level to a passage of text. Applying the formula will help you decide how to edit your document so that it is more readable. The formula depends on the vocabulary and sentence structure of the text, not the organization or content.

The Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) is a systematic method to evaluate and compare the understandability and actionability of patient education materials. It is designed as a guide to help determine whether patients will be able to understand and act on information. Separate tools are available for use with print and audiovisual materials.

The SAM, developed by Len and Ceci Doak, offers a tool for assessing texts. The SAM enables reviewers to move beyond mere readability assessments and consider the many important aspects of materials such as organization format, design and culture-that ease or hinder reading, comprehension and use. Information on SAM can be found on pg 51-60 of the Doak, Doak and Root book Teaching Patients with Low Literacy Skills, Second Edition.

The SMOG Readability Formula is a simple method you can use to determine the reading level of your written materials. If a person reads at or above a grade level, they will understand 90-100% of the information. Generally, you need to aim for a reading level of sixth grade or less. In addition, to ensure that the text is clear and readable, read your draft aloud.

The Clear Communication Index (Index) provides a set of research-based criteria to develop and assess public communication products. The Index supports the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to comply with the Plain Writing Act of 2010 and achieve goals set forth in the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy and the CDC Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy.