Improving COVID-19 vaccine communication through health literacy principles

Researchers have identified strategies to make COVID-19 vaccine information more accessible and understandable for diverse audiences. Their work, published in Vaccine, focused on enhancing a tool known as the COVID-19 Risk Calculator (CoRiCal) through a systematic three-step process:

1. Health Literacy Optimization: The team employed editing tools and conducted user testing to enhance the clarity and understandability of the risk-benefit communication tool.
2. Risk Format Experiments: Two discrete choice experiments were conducted with 213 participants to evaluate how different risk communication formats impacted perceived understanding.
3. Randomized Trial Evaluation: A large-scale randomized controlled trial involving 2,005 participants compared the effectiveness of various risk communication methods, including standard government information, CoRiCal outputs, and two animated video explanations.

The study revealed that simplifying language and adding clear explanations to graphs significantly improved comprehension. Animated videos explaining the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccines were particularly effective in increasing public knowledge. These videos proved beneficial across varying levels of health literacy, demonstrating their broad applicability.

This research underscores the importance of presenting complex health information in accessible formats, especially during health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Clear communication empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for clear, accessible health information for all members of society. This study demonstrates practical techniques to enhance the understandability of complex health data and offers a robust framework that can be adapted to other health crises. The multi-stage approach—combining health literacy optimization, risk communication experiments, and a large-scale randomized trial—provides valuable insights for improving health communication in future emergencies.

Figure: Overview of the 3 stages of the current research program

Bonner C, Taba M, Fajardo MA, et al. Using health literacy principles to improve understanding of evolving evidence in health emergencies: Optimisation and evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccination risk-benefit calculator. Vaccine 422 (2024)126296

By Prof. Heinz-Josef Schmitt, Global Health Press