Accessing health information is a right, not a privilege. Health Literacy Month is a grassroots campaign aimed at promoting the importance of understandable health communication. Health Literacy Month is a time of international observance when hospitals, health centers, literacy programs, libraries, social service agencies, businesses, professional associations, government agencies, consumer alliances, and many other groups can work collaboratively to integrate and expand the mission of health literacy.
At Win & Winnow, our mission is to improve lives by making health communication clear, accessible, and inclusive across languages, formats, and abilities. In this post we revisit the concept of health literacy, explain why it’s crucial in our multilingual world, and show how translation, localization, and accessibility practices can make—or break—the effectiveness of health messaging.
What is Health Literacy?
Health literacy refers to the ability of individuals to obtain, understand, appraise, and use health information to make informed decisions. When health information is overly technical, poorly translated, or inaccessible to certain audiences, misunderstandings emerge—leading to medication errors, poor adherence, or patient distrust.
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published a report titled “Health Literacy: A Prescription to End Confusion” that stated that “nearly half of all American adults — 90 million people — have difficulty understanding and acting on health information.” The reasons affecting the way people receive and process information may vary — health information being inherently complex, and health providers not necessarily being skilled communicators, among other factors. In any case, difficulty in reading, understanding, and acting on health information has a direct impact on health outcomes and costs.
There are different definitions for Health Literacy, but Helen Osborne, president of Health Literacy Consulting and founder of this annual, worldwide, awareness-raising event, says
Health Literacy Month is a time of observance when hospitals, health centers, literacy programs, libraries, social service agencies, businesses, professional associations, government agencies, consumer alliances, and many other groups can work collaboratively to draw attention to, and develop local capacity for, addressing this important issue.
How Can Medical Translation and Interpreting Foster Health Literacy?
In our globalized world, language is a barrier or a bridge. Without proper translation and interpreting, even the most accurate health advice can become irrelevant or dangerous.
- Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents of the United States have called attention to the fact that government websites lack adequate translated versions. The increase in diversity among country residents makes it vital for information to be translated into multiple languages. Having this information only in one language, such as English, can only benefit those fluent in this language and not the public as a whole. Making information accessible is key to public awareness of health issues and their prevention.
- Healthcare interpreters help avoid negative health outcomes through their professional intervention, in person or via Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) or Over-the-Phone Interpreting (OPI). That is because whenever there is a language barrier in a Healthcare setting (hospitals, clinics, private practice, urgent care, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, home health care, etc.), errors and miscommunication can occur, threatening the patient’s health and well-being.
- Patients bring a wide range of learning needs to the healthcare experience. Basic literacy skills, language, age, disability, cultural context, and emotional responses can all affect the way people receive and process information. Providing understandable and accessible health information is a crucial part of Healthcare services, which means that healthcare translations and interpreting should be culturally and linguistically accurate as well as easy to read and understand.
Why Health Literacy Needs Accessibility Too
Health literacy often focuses on language and comprehension—but accessibility ensures that people with varying sensory, cognitive, or motor abilities can access the information in the first place. If a patient cannot read the label (low vision), cannot hear an audio instruction (hearing impairment), or cannot navigate a website (mobility / cognitive disabilities), then the message fails entirely.
Some key accessibility considerations:
- Alternative Formats: Provide content in Braille, large print, audio, plain or easy language, captioned video, and sign language interpretation.
- Web Accessibility: Ensure digital health platforms meet WCAG standards (e.g. alt text, keyboard navigation, color contrast, skip links).
- Cognitive Accessibility: Use simple, well-structured layouts, plain language, clear visual cues, and avoid distracting elements.
- Assistive Technologies: Design your content to be compatible with screen readers, magnifiers, and other assistive tools.
Best Practices for Health Literacy + Translation + Accessibility
Here’s a checklist that health organizations should follow:
Start with Plain Language
- Write medical content in simple, clear, and concise language before translating.
- Avoid jargon, acronyms, or complex medical terms; explain them when necessary.
- Use short sentences and active voice to enhance comprehension.
Create Easy-Read Versions
- Develop simplified versions for audiences with lower literacy, cognitive challenges, or non-native speakers.
- Include illustrations or pictograms to support understanding.
- Use bullet points and structured lists to break down complex instructions.
Tag and Structure Content Properly
- Apply semantic headings, alt text for images, tables with summaries, and proper lists.
- Implement structured metadata and schema markup to enhance assistive technology support.
- Ensure consistent labeling of links, buttons, and forms.
Use Professional Medical Interpreters
- Engage qualified translators and interpreters with medical expertise.
- Verify terminology accuracy in multiple languages to avoid miscommunication.
- Consider cultural context and idiomatic expressions to maintain clarity.
Offer Multiple Formats
- Provide content in text, audio, video, sign language, and Braille where possible.
- Include captions and transcripts for all audio/video content.
- Ensure documents (PDFs, e-books) are tagged for screen readers and navigable via keyboard.
Test with Representative Users
- Conduct usability and comprehension testing with users who represent your audience: multilingual speakers, people with disabilities, older adults, or individuals with low health literacy.
- Iterate content based on feedback to ensure accessibility and clarity.
Implement Regular Review and Update Cycles
- Medical information evolves constantly; schedule periodic reviews to ensure content remains accurate and compliant.
- Update translations and accessible formats in parallel to maintain consistency across languages and modalities.
Maintain Full Audit Trails and Version Histories
- Keep detailed records of content changes, approvals, and translations to support regulatory compliance and accountability.
- Document accessibility checks and user testing outcomes for reporting purposes.
Leverage Technology for Accessibility
- Use AI-assisted tools for subtitling, text-to-speech, and multilingual content generation—but always validate outputs with human review.
- Implement accessibility testing tools for web and document formats to catch potential issues early.
Ensure Cultural Relevance and Inclusivity
- Adapt health content for cultural context, including dietary recommendations, gender-sensitive language, or region-specific medical practices.
- Avoid images, examples, or terminology that could confuse or alienate specific audiences.
Provide Clear Navigation and Instructions
- Use consistent headings, menus, and links across documents and platforms.
- Clearly label forms, buttons, and steps in processes like appointment booking or medication instructions.
Plan for Emergency and Critical Communication
- Ensure urgent health messages are accessible in multiple languages and formats immediately.
- Test that critical alerts can be received and understood by people with disabilities or low literacy levels.
Taking into account that culturally diverse individuals with limited literacy and limited English proficiency (LEP) are among the most vulnerable patients, recognizing and bridging cultural differences can increase communication effectiveness between providers and patients, and help the latter make informed decisions. Or, as Health Literacy Month encourages us to do, “Finding the right words for a better health.”
Health literacy is essential. In a world of linguistic diversity and varying abilities, the gap between what’s written and what’s understood can be life-altering. That’s why translation without accessibility is incomplete, and accessibility without clarity is insufficient.
Do you want to make sure your message comes across? Contact us today for a free assessment and quote!
