Corine S. Meppelink|Edith G. Smit|Bianca M. Buurman|Julia C.M. van Weert
Should We Be Afraid of Simple Messages? The Effects of Text Difficulty and Illustrations in People With Low or High Health Literacy
University of Amsterdam|University of Amsterdam|University of Amsterdam|University of Amsterdam
often recommended health information simplified people low health literacy however little known whether messages adapted low health literacy audiences also effective people high health literacy whether simple messages counterproductive group using two illustrated vs textonly two nondifficult vs difficult text betweensubjects design test whether older adults low n 279 versus high health literacy n 280 respond differently colorectal cancer screening messages results showed health literacy groups recalled information best text nondifficult reduced text difficulty lead negative attitudes less intention screening among people high health literacy benefits illustrations terms improved recall attitudes found people low health literacy exposed difficult texts found people high health literacy terms informed decisions nondifficult illustrated messages resulted best informed decisions low health literacy group whereas high health literacy group benefited nondifficult text general regardless illustrations findings imply materials adapted lower health literacy groups also used general audience deter people high health literacy