Writing Skills for Public Health Communication

A confusing message isn’t just bad design. It’s a barrier. For vulnerable patients, it can mean no care at all. We often consider health communication as neutral, but it’s not. It can open doors… or it can quietly close them. Patients facing housing instability, food insecurity, or chronic stress are more likely to experience: 🔁 Information avoidance: Opening that letter might mean confronting a problem they feel unequipped to solve. 🧠 Cognitive overload: Even simple tasks can feel insurmountable. 💔 Emotional friction: Cold, bureaucratic language can make individuals feel like a case number, not a human. A few tips to meet patients where they are: ✅ Simplicity shows respect Strip out the jargon. Use plain language that makes people feel seen, not small. ✅ Clarity reduces friction The clearer the message, the easier it is to act. Don’t make people decode what you want them to do. ✅ Warmth builds trust A message that feels human—kind, supportive, nonjudgmental—creates connection before it drives action. ✅ Nothing about us without us Involve your audience in design and testing. Co-create with the people you’re trying to reach. If your program is designed solely for “compliance,” you may lose the people who need it most. Design it for clarity and empathy, and you’ll reach them—and help them act.

Jargon Detox: Key Takeaways for Medical Communicators Jargon: the silent killer of clear medical communication. We've all been there, right? Lost in our own medical jargon, sometimes without even realizing it. However, clear communication is crucial, especially in healthcare. So, let's talk Jargon Detox! As medical writers, editors, and reviewers, we know that it is key to catching errors before our clients or audience does. Here are a few common jargon traps and how to avoid them: 📋 Jargon Overload: Keep it simple! If a word isn't essential, cut it. 📝 Audience Blindness: One size doesn't fit all. Physicians? Focus on the data. Patients? Speak plainly. 🗒️ Readability Roadblocks: The "read-aloud test" is your friend. Stumble over a sentence? Rewrite it. Jargon Detox Examples: ❌ “Polypharmacy is prevalent among geriatric populations.” ✅ “Older adults often take multiple medications.” ❌ “The intervention demonstrated a statistically significant improvement.” ✅ “The treatment worked better than the placebo.” ❌ "Gastrointestinal distress may be an adverse effect of this medication." ✅ "This medicine might upset your stomach." ❌ "The patient exhibited symptoms of pyrexia and diaphoresis." ✅ "The patient had a fever and was sweating a lot." Jargon Detox Strategies: ✔️ Simplify: Shorter words, shorter sentences. Think plain language. ✔️  Define (Sparingly): If you must use a technical term, define it clearly and concisely. ✔️  Structure for Success: Short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings make complex information digestible. ✔️  Readability Tools: Using the Hemmingway app or similar tools can help identify jargon and suggest simpler alternatives. ✔️  Know Your Audience: Are you writing for physicians or patients? It makes a difference. The Golden Rule💡: If your audience needs to Google a word, you've already lost them. What are your favorite "jargon-to-plain-language" transformations? Please share them in the comments! #PlainLanguage #MedComms #MedicalWritingTips #KJCmediahealth #MedicalWriter #ScienceWriting

Medical writers can work like a bridge: Translating complex medical information into a simple message to the patient. Simple does not mean lack of quality. But clarity and comprehension. → How to do that? ✅ Avoid technical terms, and prefer plain language. Instead of hypertension, prefer high blood pressure. ✅ Use analogies with daily examples. A vaccine is like a training course for your immune system. It teaches your body, how to recognize and fight against a virus before the real one arrives ✅ Write a short sentence and paragraphs Short sentences are more readable and direct. ✅ Be clear and concise. The patients are more likely to contribute and engage with treatment, when they understand their condition. Writing clarity is a win-win game. When was the last time you translated scientific info into a simple and clear message? #medicalwriting #medcomms #communication