Making Health Communication Programs Work

National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/publications/health-communication/pink-book.pdf

This publication discusses Stages of Health Communication Process. (1) Planning and Strategy Development, (2) Developing and Pretesting Concepts, Messages, and Materials, (3) Implementing the Program, (4) Assessing Effectiveness and Making Refinements. The planning steps in this book can help make any communication program work, regardless of size, topic, geographic span, intended audience, or budget.

National Institute of Health

https://www.nih.gov

The National Institute of Health provides resources on a variety of health topics. With respect to Cancer, topics include, General Information for consumers and health professionals, Tips, Research Spotlights, Scientific Literature, Clinical Practice Guidelines, and resources in Spanish. NIH also has links to other sites including Medline Plus and the National Cancer Institute.

Cancer Control

Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse

http://massclearinghouse.ehs.state.ma.us/category/CANCER.html

Resources include posters, brochures, booklets, and guides for cancer control. The Cancer Survivors Wellness Guide empowers patients to take control of their care and well-being through inspirational stories of cancer survivors. The Can we talk Cervical and Breast Cancer Screening posters and brochures encourage women to speak with their doctor about screening, HPV, Pap tests, and more. Additional resources are the Test Yourself for Colon Cancer at Home poster and brochure and the Guide to Colon Cancer Screening booklet. Some resources are available in Portuguese, Vietnamese, and Spanish.

Easy Reading for Patients: Dealing with Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

American Cancer Society

http://www.cancer.org/healthy/informationforhealthcareprofessionals/easy-reading-for-patients-dealing-with-side-effects-of-cancer-treatment

The American Cancer Society provides easy to read fliers and handouts that can be printed and distributed to cancer patients and caregivers with low health literacy or limited English proficiency. They offer quick information on a variety of cancer topics including: Cancer Pain, Chemo Brain, Distress, Diarrhea, Fatigue, Mouth Sores, Nausea and Vomiting, Skin Changes, Sleep Problems, When Cancer Comes Back, and Being a Caregiver. Information is available in Spanish and several other languages.

Measures of Cancer Health Literacy and Identification of Patients with Limited Cancer Health Literacy

Journal of Health Communication, Authored by Dumenci et al

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10810730.2014.943377?journalCode=uhcm20

This study was designed to develop a psychometrically sound instrument designed to measure cancer health literacy along a continuum (CHLT-30), to develop another instrument designed to determine whether a patient has limited cancer health literacy (CHLT-6), and to estimate the prevalence of limited cancer health literacy. Overall, the results supported the conclusion that the CHLT-30 accurately measures cancer health literacy along a continuum and that the CHLT-6 efficiently identifies patients with limited cancer health literacy with high accuracy.

Using Effective Provider-Patient Communication to Improve Cancer Screening Among Low Literacy Patients

Tulane University School of Medicine

https://tulane.edu/som/cahp/doctor-patient-communication-and-cancer-screening-study.cfm

This study was designed to help primary care physicians use effective cancer risk communication and shared decision-making skills to improve patients’ adherence to preventive health measures such as cancer screenings. Limited health literacy develops with improper understanding and knowledge about health risks and susceptibility. Eighteen primary care physicians from five safety-net clinics in New Orleans, LA participated in a cluster randomized control trial to train physicians to effectively counsel patients with limited health literacy. The long-term objective of the trial is to assess whether change in physicians’ communication behavior is associated with patients’ receipt of age-and gender appropriate breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings.

Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS)

National Cancer Institute

http://hints.cancer.gov/about.aspx

HINTS collects nationally representative data routinely about the American public’s knowledge of, attitudes towards, and use of cancer-related information. The data provides opportunities to understand and improve health communication. The HINTS survey provides updates on changes in fields of health communication and health information technology, helps us understand how adults use different communication channels to access and use health information for themselves and their loved ones, and obtains information about how cancer risks are perceived.

Making Data Talk: A Workbook

National Cancer Institute

http://www.cancer.gov/publications/health-communication/making-data-talk.pdf

This workbook provides an overview of the main points contained in the book Making Data Talk: Communicating Public Health Data to the Public, Policy Makers, and the Press, as well as practical exercises for applying the book’s concepts and communication principles to your unique situation. The ultimate goal of this workbook is to help you select and communicate quantitative data in ways lay audiences can understand.

Cancer 101 Toolkit

Cancer 101

http://cancer101.org/toolkit/

CANCER101 is dedicated to arming you with the tools you need to become empowered, organized, and informed when faced with a cancer diagnosis. The C101 Planner with accompanying inserts will guide you from the moment you are diagnosed through ten years of follow-up care. In addition, there are other tools that will help you navigate the journey ahead.

Cancer Clear & Simple

University of Wisconsin Cancer Health Disparities Initiative

http://chdi.wisc.edu/cancer-clear-simple

Cancer, Clear & Simple (CC&S) is a set of educational materials developed for use with rural communities, and has been adapted for African American populations. Curriculum modules include: Cancer Basics, Cancer Prevention, and Cancer Screening. A Facilitator Guide is available for individuals delivering education sessions. It discusses basic adult learning principles, provides information on how to plan an educational session, and includes a step-by-step guide to the curriculum. There are also over 40 educational handouts available on Cancer Information, Questions to Ask Your Doctor, and Health Tips & Ideas. CC&S materials incorporate health literacy principles and are designed to build knowledge and improve health-related decision-making.