How Health Writers Become Superheroes for Literacy Awareness.

As a health writer, you’re not just a communicator—you’re a superhero who brings about change. Every word you write has the tendency to bridge health literacy gaps and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Whether you identify as a health writer or a medical writer, your work is vital in bridging the gap between complex medical information and the understanding of your audience.

But how do we, as health writers, truly step into this role and make a tangible impact? This article covers everything you need to know about the role of health and medical writers in addressing health literacy challenges.

What Is Health Literacy, and Why Does It Matter?

Health literacy is the ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. According to studies, nearly 36% of adults in the U.S. have limited health literacy, with numbers being even higher in underserved communities worldwide, influenced by cultural and belief system, lack of education and low educational level, low socioeconomic status, learning disabilities, and even chronic illnesses.

This gap isn’t just a matter of inconvenience—it’s a matter of life and death. Individuals with poor health literacy are less likely to manage chronic conditions effectively, adhere to medication regimens, or seek preventive care. They’re also more prone to medical errors, unnecessary hospitalizations, and poor health outcomes.

This is where health writers come in as superheroes. By simplifying complex medical jargon, addressing health conditions of public concern, and tailoring information to specific audiences, we make healthcare information accessible and empowering to all.

The Role of Health Writers in Bridging Health Literacy Gaps.

Whether you’re a health writer or a medical writer, your mission is to simplify and clarify health information and make them accessible and understandable. To fulfill this purpose, writers are tasked with:

1. Simplifying complex information.

Medical terminology can be difficult to understand. Many people don’t know what “hyperlipidemia” or “arteriosclerosis” means, and they should not have to because it is a technical term, understood by people in the health niche. Our role as writers is to break down these terms into simple language. For example, instead of “atherosclerosis,” we can say, “a condition where the blood vessels become clogged with fatty deposits, making it harder for blood to flow.”

2. Addressing language barriers.

As a health writer, langauge barrier is a concern. When writing for diverse audiences, we consider language preferences, and even literacy levels. For instance, in rural communities, communicating health information in English might meet a wall, as writers in the health niche, we ensure while providing accurate information is the goal, addressing langauge barriers is given priority.

3. Creating content for target audience.

Different audiences have different needs. This is why drafting an audience persona is an important part of your pre-writing phase. Understand who you’re writing for—their challenges, preferred medium for receiving information and giving feedback and tailor your content accordingly.

4. Promoting preventive care.

One of the easiest ways to improve health outcomes is by encouraging preventive care. ‘Prevention is better and less expensive than cure’, is not a myth after all. Health writers can create content that educates readers about preventive measures like vaccinations, routine screenings, or lifestyle modifications to prevent chronic diseases. Writing about preventive care could save lives.

5. Enhancing patient education.

Clear, concise educational materials can ease the healthcare burden and foster better communication between patients and healthcare providers.

Steps Health Writers Can Take to Bridge Health Literacy Gaps.

Bridging the health literacy gap is a collaborative effort that starts with intentionality. Here are actionable steps every health writer and medical writer can take:

1. Understand your audience.

Health writers must first understand who they are writing for. Knowing your audience’s demographic, needs, and even educational background helps tailor your message effectively.

2. Use plain language.

The goal of writing is communication. To communicate, readability must be the first priority. Health writing is not the place to flaunt your vocabulary. Stick to simple language. The goal is not to obscure but to communicate. Use simple sentences, avoid technical jargon, write in active tenses, use more verbs instead of nouns, have a structure for seamless flow of thoughts, and provide examples when necessary. Tools like grammarly can help you determine the readability of your writing.

3. Incorporate visuals.

Infographics, charts, and videos can simplify complex ideas and make your content more engaging. For example, instead of describing how blood flows through the heart, an animated video can visually illustrate the process. One reason people would use YouTube is to better understand a health concept than read about it.

4. Fact-check.

Health misinformation can be deadly. Always rely on credible sources like peer-reviewed journals, government health websites, and expert interviews. Double-check every statistic, quote, and claim before hitting the publish button.

5. Tell stories.

Stories tap into your reader’s emotions. It makes your content relatable and memorable.

6. Test and revise.

Before publishing your content, share it with your family, friends, and colleagues and gather feedback. Are they able to friends, families, colleagues, etc. When you share, ask if they understand the message, if it addresses their concerns, etc. Use their input to revise your work for maximum impact.

Health Writing is a Call to Responsibility and Accountability. It is purpose!

Health and medical writers do more than just create content—they empower communities. By addressing health literacy gaps, they contribute to a world where people are informed and confident about their health decisions. For me, this role is deeply fulfilling because it aligns with my passion for communication and education.

As a health writer and trainer in the MASTER THE ART OF WRITING IN THE HEALTH NICHE bootcamp, I teach and guide many more to use their words as tools for change.

If you’re a health writer, you’re not just filling pages or screens. You’re changing lives—one word, one article, one impact at a time.

How can you start?

If you’re passionate about health writing but unsure where to start, here’s my advice:

Find Your ‘WHY’: Why do you want to communicate health information? Imagine the big picture.

Find your ‘WHAT’: What health topic resonates with you? What gap can you address? For me, it’s improving health literacy.

Find your ‘WHO’: Who is your target audience? Where are they?

Find your ‘HOW’: How do you get your message to them? What medium can be utilised? Radio, Television, Tiktok, Newspapers, etc

Now, invest in learning. Join workshops, take courses, or participate in bootcamps (I organise THE MASTER THE ART OF WRITING IN THE HEALTH NICHE BOOTCAMP, where I train newbie writers to become confident writers in the health niche. How do you sign up? https://selar.co/j46v20). Writing is a skill, and it gets sharper with training and practice.

You can also connect with other health writers and medical writers on LinkedIn. Share your insights, ask questions, and build your network. Start small, but start. Put your work out there. As superheroes, you never know whose life your writing might change.

REFERENCES

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[3] Adekoya-Cole, Thomas & Akinmokun, Olasode & George, Enweluzo & Badmus, Olakunle & Alabi, Eyitayo. (2015). Poor Health Literacy in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences and Measures to improve it. Nigerian quarterly journal of hospital medicine. 25. 112-117.

[4] Rahman FI, Aziz F, Huque S, Ether SA. Medication understanding and health literacy among patients with multiple chronic conditions: A study conducted in Bangladesh. J Public Health Res 2020;9:1792. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2020.1792.

[5] Use plain language n.d. https://www.who.int/about/communications/understandable/plain-language (accessed January 22, 2025).

[6] Understand Your Audience | Health Literacy | CDC 2022. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/healthliteracy/developmaterials/understandaudience/index.html (accessed January 22, 2025).

[7] Ornago E, Sala E, Zaninelli M. The role of health literacy in the healthcare decision-making process. MEW 2022;31:44–7.