Mark Gibson MA is a Consumer Information Specialist based in Leeds, England. He is a linguist, translator, and journalist who now focuses on readability testing and information design. Building on his research in patient communication, Mark designs information that is appropriate for diverse audiences – including those with limited English proficiency, low literacy skills, and sight loss.

In this podcast he compares and contrasts ways to assess readability in the European Union (EU) and the United States. Topics include:

• Assessing readability: How does the system used in the EU compare to that in the United States?
• EU process of assessing readability: What works well and what does not?
• Lessons learned and resources that listeners can use right away.

More Ways to Learn:

• Mark Gibson’s business is RiW Design Ltd, www.riw-design.com You can contact him directly by email at mark@gibsonrs.eu
• Gibson M, Hochhauser M. “Readability Testing: European Performance vs USA Formulas,” SoCRA Source: A Publication of the Society of Clinical Research Associates. May 2010:69-71.
• Sless D, Wiseman R. Writing About Medicines for People. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service, 1997
• Guideline on the Readability of the Labelling and Package Leaflet of Medicinal Products for Human Use, European Medicines Agency, Revision 1, 12 January 2009. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/pharmaceuticals/files/eudralex/vol-2/c/2009_01_12_readability_guideline_final_en.pdf [last accessed 09Jun2010]

Cynthia Baur, Ph.D., is the Senior Advisor for Health Literacy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). She co-chairs several federal health literacy initiatives, including the workgroup for Healthy People 2020 Health Communication and Health Information Technology.

Dr. Baur is the lead author for the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy and helped develop CDC’s online health literacy training for health professionals. In this podcast, she talks with Helen Osborne about the National Plan to Improve Health Literacy. Topics include:

• How the National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy was developed with input from researchers, practitioners, and community members.
• Ways individuals and organizations can use this health literacy action plan.
• A national and international perspective about health literacy.

More Ways to Learn:

• National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy. Available at http://www.health.gov/communication/HLActionPlan/
• Proceedings of the Surgeon General’s Workshop on Improving Health Literacy. Available at http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/healthliteracy/toc.html
• Healthy People 2010 & 2020. Available at http://www.healthypeople.gov/
• CDC: Health Literacy for Public Health Professionals (Web-based). Available at http://www2a.cdc.gov/TCEOnline/registration/detailpage.asp?res_id=2074
• HRSA: Health Literacy Free Online Course. Available at http://www.hrsa.gov/healthliteracy/default.htm
• Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast #17: Dr. Arthur Culbert Talks About Statewide Health Literacy Initiatives. Available at http://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2009/06/23/hlol-17-dr-arthur-culbert-talks-about-statewide-health-literacy-initiatives/
• Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast #15: Dr. Rima Rudd Talks About the Health Literacy Burden in Healthcare. Available at http://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2009/05/04/hlol-15-dr-rima-rudd-talks-about-the-health-literacy-burden-in-healthcare/