Dissemination Methods for Rural Health Literacy Programs

Once the audience has been identified, the next step is to decide how to disseminate program findings and lessons learned. There are several effective ways to share information about health literacy programs depending on the audience.

Common methods of dissemination include:

Social Media

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Dissemination Products

• Monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
• Policy briefs
• Journal publications
• Newsletters
• Presentations
• Fact sheets, posters, and flyers
• Project/evaluation manuals
• Manuscripts
• Program websites

Meetings and Conferences

Meetings and conferences are a great way to share details about health literacy program successes and challenges. Many organizations host annual or biannual conferences for individuals seeking to learn more about new health literacy research and interventions. Some of these organizations that host relevant conferences and meetings include:

• National Rural Health Association Health Equity Conference
• NRHA Annual Rural Health Conference
• National Association of Rural Health Clinics
• National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health Annual Meeting
• Critical Access Hospital Conference
• Institute for Health Care Advancement Health Literacy Conference
• Boston University Medical Campus Health Literacy Research Conference
• Wisconsin Health Literacy Summit
• The National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy Summit
• The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Roundtable on Health Literacy

Rural health literacy programs should use inclusive communication methods when disseminating program findings. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication presents suggestions for language use to ensure respectful communication with all people. This guidance in this resource can be applied when creating resources, delivering presentations, engaging with partners and the community, and evaluating internal communications.

Resources to Learn More

Dissemination of Rural Health Research: A Toolkit
Document
Provides rural health researchers resources for communicating their research findings by offering guides and examples specific to various methods of dissemination.
Author(s): Bauman, S., Schroeder, S.
Organization(s): Rural Health Research Gateway, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Health
Date: 8/2019

Talking Points about Health Literacy
Website
Lists key concepts about health literacy to consider when advocating for the development of a health literate organization.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Understanding Your Audience
Website
Describes ways to better understand your primary audience before disseminating information about health literacy. Covers measuring the skills and experiences of your audience and recognizing their cultural differences. Includes tools to improve communication with older adults.
Organization(s): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)