You’ve just been handed a diagnosis. The words are clinical. The clock is ticking. And the next steps? Buried in a wall of medical jargon. For millions of people, this isn’t just a stressful moment but an all-too-common reality. October was Health Literacy Month; a time to recognize that understanding health information shouldn't be a privilege. At GSW, Wonder More is more than a creative philosophy—it’s a lens through which we approach every aspect of healthcare communication. We believe that the most powerful ideas don’t just inform— they inspire clarity, compassion, and confidence. That’s why health literacy is not just a priority; it’s a responsibility.
Health literacy plays a critical role in patients’ ability to navigate the healthcare system. It affects how they understand their diagnoses, follow treatment plans, manage chronic conditions, and make informed decisions. Yet nearly 9 in 10 adults in the United States struggle to understand and use health information when it’s unfamiliar, complex, or filled with jargon (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Talking Points, 2023). This gap doesn’t just lead to confusion. It leads to poorer health outcomes, avoidable hospital visits, and a growing strain on the healthcare system.
Health literacy is often misunderstood as simply a matter of reading level or educational background. In reality, it’s a dynamic interaction between people and the systems that serve them. The CDC defines two distinct but interrelated dimensions of the issue: personal health literacy, or the ability of individuals to find, understand, and use health information; and organizational health literacy, which refers to the degree to which healthcare organizations equitably enable individuals to do so (CDC, 2024).
This distinction is critical. Even people with strong literacy skills can struggle to navigate complex or poorly communicated healthcare systems. Jargon-filled materials, rushed explanations, or overly technical websites all contribute to misunderstandings and missed opportunities for care. And these burdens fall hardest on those already facing inequities—including older adults, people with limited English proficiency, individuals with lower income or education levels, and communities historically underserved by the healthcare system.
Improving health literacy is not just an act of education, it is an act of inclusion. According to the CDC, improving communication and designing systems with health literacy in mind could prevent nearly 1 million hospital visits and save the U.S. healthcare system over $25 billion each year (CDC, Understanding Health Literacy, 2023). More importantly, it can empower individuals to be active participants in their health, reduce disparities, and strengthen trust between patients and providers.
So…What Can We Do?
According to the CDC, improving health literacy starts with how we communicate — not just what we say. To make health information more accessible, communicators should:
- Use plain language and avoid medical jargon
- Design for cultural and linguistic relevance, not just translation
- Deliver messages through trusted, community-preferred channels
- Test materials with real patients and communities
- Provide clear, actionable steps—not abstract information
- Shift responsibility from individuals to systems by designing for understanding
(CDC, 2024)
Let’s Wonder More and Do Better
At GSW, we see this as a call to action. To Wonder More is to challenge assumptions about what people understand, what they need, and how we can meet them where they are. It’s about creating communications that aren’t just technically accurate, but genuinely accessible. We believe that clarity isn’t a luxury, but a lifeline.
The challenges surrounding health literacy aren’t limited to the month of October. We continually encourage organizations to take a closer look at the words, visuals, and systems they use to share health information. Ask yourself: Would someone without a medical background understand this? Have we designed this message with empathy? Are we helping people act, or just informing them?
When we design for understanding, we help more people live healthier, more-empowered lives. And that’s something worth wondering more about.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Talking points about health literacy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/php/about/tell-others.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Understanding health literacy. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/php/about/understanding.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). What is health literacy? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/health-literacy/php/about/index.html
