Communicating Cancer Control Messages to Low-Literate and Diverse Audiences

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is considered to be preventable because of its developmental progression. Effectively communicating about the various screening procedures for the disease is an important weapon in combating its incidence and mortality. Successful health communication must take into account the health literacy of and cultural relevance to the targeted audience. More than 40% of adults in the United States have low literacy skills. Unfortunately, many health communication materials are not culturally relevant and are written at a level of literacy that is too high. Thus, research is needed to determine how inadequate health literacy influences health behaviors.

Key Words:

• Health literacy
• colorectal cancer screening