Writing Health Communication: An Evidence-based Guide

by Charles Abraham (Editor), Marieke Kools (Editor)

Overview

Research has shown that information given to patients and materials designed to influence health behaviour often fail to achieve their aims. As a result, health professionals need proven strategies to ensure that information is selected, designed and presented appropriately for the target audience. In response, Writing for Health Communication provides a practical guide to designing health information, using evidence-based strategies to engage, inform and persuade different audiences.

The book outlines the steps a writer needs to go through in creating successful materials. Starting with an understanding of how people read and process information and how behaviour is influenced, the book then covers the practicalities of

" Choosing an approach

" Message framing

" Text design and layout

" Using graphics

" Computer tailoring

Each chapter is illustrated with examples - including both good and bad practice and covering a range of health topics. For students and professionals in healthcare, health promotion, health education and public health, Writing for Health Communication is an invaluable guide to best practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847871862
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/24/2012
Pages:	174
Product dimensions:	6.60(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction: Steps Towards Writing Effective Educational Text - Marieke Kools and Charles Abraham
Designing Easy-To-Read Text - James Hartley
Making Written Materials Easy to Understand - Marieke Kools
Making Written Materials Easy to Use - Marieke Kools
Using Graphics Effectively in Text - Patricia Wright
Developing Evidence-based Content for Health Promotion Materials - Charles Abraham
Mapping Change Mechanisms onto Behaviour Change Techniques: A Systematic Approach to Promoting Behaviour Change Through Text - Charles Abraham
Planning to Frighten People? Think Again! - Robert A.C. Ruiter and Gerjo Kok
Message Framing - Mariek Q. Werrij, Robert A.C. Ruiter, Jonathan van 't Riet and Hein de Vries
Computer-tailoring of Health Promotion Messages - Johannes Brug and Anke Oeema
Conclusions and Recommendations - Charles Abraham and Marieke Kools