Disaster Readiness and Health Literacy

By Rima E. Rudd, Sc.D.

During this last year, every region of our country has faced at least one natural disaster related to fire or ice, heat or cold, winds or high waters, infectious disease, or cybersecurity. For many of our communities, consequences were dire, and homes, health, work, and security were compromised. 

Public Health and Disaster Planning and Management

Public health focuses on the duty to protect and promote the well-being and health of the public. This mission includes a responsibility for research, for advance planning, for informing people of threats to health and safety, and for assistance during and after dire events. Communication with the public is critical. People need to be aware, assured, informed, and provided with tools for action. Information must be not only available but also accessible. This calls for very clear talk, writing, and postings. We do not want to leave anyone behind. When words get in the way, people may remain unaware, limit actions, forfeit rights, or endanger their health or lives. 

Health Literacy First Responders

Those of us working in health literacy understand the need to pay attention to the construction of the information itself in terms of clear language, format, design, and ease of use. Health literacy practitioners have the expertise and tools to identify and eliminate barriers to information and action. Consequently, we can serve as critical allies in emergency planning, as important first responders in the face of disaster, and as helpmates in the aftermath. 

Long Ago Lessons From Hurricane Katrina

When Hurricane Katrina struck the southeastern United States in August 2005, Ceci and Len Doak (the authors of “Teaching Patients with Low Literacy Skills,” also known as the grandparents of health literacy) were at a small health literacy conference in New York City. In the midst of the meeting, they assembled a group of attendees who agreed to serve in a health literacy responder group. Ceci and Len immediately asked key agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to send them emergency information materials meant for distribution.  

Ceci and Len coordinated an impromptu and valuable effort to assess and rewrite needed messages. The Doaks sent out items to group members in various parts of the country, with a promised return within 24 hours (or sooner if needed). Each team member worked on improving information flyers, rewrote how-to materials and calls to action, improved directions, and clarified helpful alerts and warnings. For example, they developed informative play materials for children and directions for adults missing their medicines while in shelters. They replaced the general statement “notify the appropriate authorities” with a specific name and phone number. For people returning home after the floods, they included a shopping list of critical supplies for removing mold and step by step directions. Overall, team members assessed messages, eliminated jargon, reorganized and clarified directions, and offered precise and clear information needed by folks in distress. 

Preparing for Future Disasters

We know that clear and accessible information serves everyone. But why wait until disaster strikes? Critical work can be done in advance of emergencies. We must help others understand the value of including health literacy experts in first responder teams. We can formalize relationships with public health and community-based agencies, provide needed educational sessions, and hold regular drills to ensure that written, posted, and spoken messages are readily accessible. We can train others in the use of  available health literacy assessment tools, such as the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) and the CDC Clear Communication Index. We can teach agency staff how to use the same tools to rewrite, redesign, and develop new postings, handouts, and oral messages. We in health literacy practice can substantially contribute to disaster preparedness, management, and mitigation.  

About the Author

Rima Rudd, a long -term public health researcher and teacher is proud to have worked with the Doaks, delighted to be working with IHA, and remains an avid activist for health equity and social justice

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