Scott Ratzan M.D., M.P.A., M.A., has three decades of pioneering accomplishments in the U.S. and globally in health literacy, health communication, and strategic diplomacy. He is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives, and serves on the Board of Global Health for the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine. Beyond his many publications and ongoing advocacy, Dr. Ratzan is co-author of the definition of health literacy that was adopted by the US Government and incorporated in the Affordable Care Act. He now taking on the challenge to improve “vaccine literacy.”
In this podcast, Dr. Scott Ratzan talks with Helen Osborne about:
- Vaccine literacy. How it is alike yet differs from health literacy. And why vaccine literacy is needed now.
- Examples of how vaccine literacy requires a multi-level effort from policy makers and industry leaders, along with caring advocates.
- Ways we all can help communicate clearly, accurately, and actionably about vaccines.
More Ways to Learn:
- “Safe Vaccinations for a Healthy Nation: Increasing US Vaccine Coverage Through Law, Science, and Communication,” by LO Gostin, SC Ratzan, and BR Bloom published in JAMA Network Online, April 19, 2019.
- “Health expert calls for social media, search engines to combat anti-vax movement,” NewsNow in Aukland, New Zealand.
- “Health Literacy Implications of the Affordable Care Act,” by SA Somers and R Mahadean, 2010. This paper was commissioned by the Institute of Medicine and authored by the Center for Health Care Strategies.
Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Second Edition (updated 2018), by Helen Osborne. Relevant chapters include 1 (“About Health Literacy”) and 13 (“General Public: Talking With Patients About What They Learn From the Media”).
Read a transcript of this podcast.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download