A health literacy analysis of the consumer-oriented COVID-19 information produced by ten state health departments

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the public’s need for quality health information that is understandable. This study aimed to identify (1) the extent to which COVID-19 messaging by state public health departments is understandable, actionable, and clear; (2) whether materials produced by public health departments are easily readable; (3) relationships between material type and understandability, actionability, clarity, and reading grade level; and (4) potential strategies to improve public health messaging around COVID-19. Methods: Based on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics from June 30, 2020, we identified the ten states with the most COVID-19 cases and selected forty-two materials (i.e., webpages, infographics, and videos) related to COVID-19 prevention according to predefined eligibility criteria. We applied three validated health literacy tools (i.e., Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, CDC Clear Communication Index, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level) to assess material understandability, actionability, clarity, and readability. We also analyzed correlations between scores on the three health literacy tools and material types.Results: Overall, COVID-19 materials had high understandability and actionability but could be improved in terms of clarity and readability. Material type was significantly correlated with understandability, actionability, and clarity. Infographics and videos received higher scores on all tools.Conclusions: Based on our findings, we recommend public health entities apply a combination of these tools when developing health information materials to improve their understandability, actionability, and clarity. We also recommend using infographics and videos when possible, taking a human-centered approach to information design, and providing multiple modes and platforms for information delivery.

Health literacy characteristics of over-the-counter rapid antigen COVID-19 test materials

“… 14 In their review of US state health department COVID-19 resources (e.g., webpages, infographics, and videos), Mani et al found information to have high understandability and actionability, while needing improvement in terms of overall clarity and readability. 15 …”

COVID-19 information uptake amongst a rheumatology interested population

“…The first peak relates to the first wave of the pandemic, the second peak to newly available vaccines, and the third peak to a significant COVID-19 wave in the province of Alberta along with COVID-19 booster vaccine availability. While other papers have reviewed the quality of COVID online information, their use has not been well described [8,9]. It can be inferred the target audience of Albertans was successfully reached, with a majority of use being from this geographic location, and significantly higher than other webpages on the site.…”

Patient education information material assessment criteria: A scoping review

“…K. Patel et al, 2015;Vishnevetsky et al, 2018). This criterion was evaluated in 23 studies (Abdul Rahman et al, 2020;Alshehri & Joury, 2019;Alwani et al, 2021;Arslan et al, 2020;Bacher et al, 2020;Balakrishnan, Chandy, Hseih, et al, 2016;Bui et al, 2018;Edmunds et al, 2014;Georgsson & Carlsson, 2022;Gillum, 2017;Guitton, 2015;Gulbrandsen et al, 2022;Harris et al, 2018;Hughes et al, 2019;Lake et al, 2007;Lamb et al, 2022;Lipari et al, 2019;Mac et al, 2020;Magrath et al, 2022;Mani et al, 2021;McClure et al, 2016;Miles et al, 2021;O'Sullivan et al, 2020;Sideris et al, 2021;Townsend, 2011;Unaka et al, 2017;van Ballegooie & Hoang, 2021;Vishnevetsky et al, 2018;Wang et al, 2022).…”