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WRITING AND WRITERS: SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES :
WEBSITE DESIGN AND PROMOTION: TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION :
HEALTH :
MEDICAL :
EDUCATION :
UNITED STATES: GOVERNMENT:
Health Literacy Online:
A Guide to Writing and Designing Easy-to-Use Health Web Sites
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A Guide to Writing and Designing Easy-to-Use Health Web Sites
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
(2010)
Health literacy online:
A guide to writing and designing easy-to-use health Web sites.
Washington, DC:
http://www.health.gov/healthliteracyonline/
Web_Guide_Health_Lit_Online.pdf
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A shorter URL for the above link:
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http://tinyurl.com/nd9xht6
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Strategies
Actions
Testing Methods
Resources
Contents
About This Guide
Why Design Easy-to-Use Web Sites?
Building On the Principles of Usability
Terminology: Literacy and Health Literacy
A Note on the Research
What We Know About Web Users With Limited Literacy Skills
A Brief Introduction to User-Centered Design
Summary of Iterative Design and Testing Methods
Individual Interviews
Focus Groups Task Analysis
Personas and Scenarios
Card Sorting Prototypes
Usability Testing
Six Strategies for Writing and Designing
Easy-to-Use Health Web Sites
1. Learn About Your Users and Their Goals
The Basics
Actions
1.1. Identify your users. Who are they?
1.2. Understand their motivations. Why are they here?
1.3. Understand their goals. What are they trying to do?
Iterative Design Methods and Tips
2. Write Actionable Content
The Basics
Actions
2.1. Put the most important information first
2.2. Describe the health behaviorjust the basics
2.3. Stay positive and realistic. Include the benefits of taking action
2.4. Provide specific action steps
2.5. Write in plain language
2.6. Check content for accuracy
Iterative Design Methods and Tips
3. Display Content Clearly on the Page
The Basics
Actions
3.1. Limit paragraph size. Use bullets and short lists
3.2. Use meaningful headings
3.3. Use a familiar font in at least 12-point type
3.4. Use white space and avoid clutter
3.5. Keep content in the center of the screen and above the fold
3.6. Label links clearly
3.7. Use images that facilitate learning
3.8. Use bold colors with contrast. Avoid dark backgrounds
3.9. Make your site accessible to people with disabilities
Iterative Design Methods and Tips
4. Organize Content and Simplify Navigation
The Basics
Actions
4.1. Create a simple and engaging home page
4.2. Use labels that reflect words your users know
4.3. Enable easy access to home and menu pages
4.4. Make sure the Back button works
4.5. Use linear information paths
4.6. Include simple search and browse options
Iterative Design Methods and Tips
5. Engage Users With Interactive Content
The Basics
Actions
5.1. Include printer-friendly tools and resources
5.2. Simplify screen-based controls and enlarge buttons
5.3. Include interactive content that users can tailor
but not too much
5.4. Incorporate audio and visual features
5.5. Explore new media such as Twitter or text messaging
Iterative Design Methods and Tips
6. Evaluate and Revise Your Site
The Basics
Actions
6.1. Recruit users with limited literacy
and limited health literacy skills
6.2. Choose experienced moderators
6.3. Test comprehension in multiple ways
6.4. Consider user engagement and self-efficacy
6.5. Create plain language testing documents
Iterative Design Methods and Tips
References
Appendixes
Appendix A: Reviewers
Appendix B: Sample Measures
Appendix C: Sample Testing Documents
Appendix D: Overview of ODPHP Original Research
Appendix E: Resources for Creating Easy-to-Use Web Sites
Appendix F: Annotated Bibliography
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"Why Design Easy-to-Use Web Sites?
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Although the problem remains largely
invisible, millions of Americans
have a hard time reading. As many as
half of U.S. adults have limited
literacy skills.2 Even more
Americansas many as 9 out of 10
have limited health literacy skills.
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This means they have trouble
understanding complex health
information.2 As more health
information and services
move online, Web developers and
professionals must find new
and better ways to communicate
health information to the public.
The number of older adults using
the Internet continues to grow.
A significant number of older Web users
are searching for health
information. However, age-related changes
in vision, hearing, and
cognition affect older adults use of
the Internet.3
Taken individually, each of these factors
presents a challenge for Web
developers and health professionals.
Taken together, they represent an
urgent need for innovative designand
redesignof health content on the Web.
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Several factors affect how well users
can find, understand, and use
information on the Web, including:
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Access to computers and experience online
Ability to read and understand printed text
Complexity of information on the Web
Usability of the Web in general and Web
sites specifically.
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Clearly written content, uncluttered Web
sites, and simple navigation dramatically
improve the performance and experience of
Web users, including those with limited
literacy skills.
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Studies show that simplifying your Web
site improves the experience of all users,
not just those with limited literacy skills.
Clean layouts and familiar language are
more usable for everyone"
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The complete online publication may be read at the URL above.
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Sincerely,
David Dillard
Temple University
(215) 204 - 4584
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