Health Literacy Standards
IHA’s 25+ years of experience leading the health literacy field led to the development of the Plain Language Assessment Tool for Organizations (PLATO) and Numeric-Plain Language Assessment Tool (N-PLAT).
These tools are based on IHA’s patented method for improving health literacy of patient materials (U.S. Patent No. WO US US11380444B2 Granted 2022-07-05).
PLATO/N-PLAT
IHA’s “Plain Language Assessment Tool for Organizations” (PLATO™) is a patented method of improving health literacy of health materials.
IHA’s Numeric Plain Language Assessment Tool (N-PLAT™) is the numeracy and plain language standards derived from PLATO.
This standard ensures information is accessible to people with:
- Marginal literacy skills
- Limited health/healthcare knowledge
- Limited time to read and understand content
N-PLAT Standards / Scoring
Design: Evaluates overall appearance, legibility, and graphic clarity. (27 possible points):
Text: Assesses reading level, word simplicity, message clarity, and tone (39 possible points)
Categorized into three quality levels:
- Superior (85%-100%): Most likely to be read, understood and used by most participants
- Adequate (75%-84%): Probably can be read, understood and used by most participants
- Inadequate (74% and below): Least likely to be read, understood and used by most participants
PEMAT
US Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality’s (AHRQ) Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT) is an instrument to assess the understandability and actionability of print and audiovisual patient education materials.
The PEMAT framework:
- Understandability: Patient education materials are understandable when consumers of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of health literacy can process and explain key messages.
- Actionability: Patient education materials are actionable when consumers of diverse backgrounds and varying levels of health literacy can identify what they can do based on the information presented.
PEMAT Standards / Scoring
Overall: Understandability score + Actionabiity score (20 possible points)
Understandability: Assesses how well the material enables users to identify and take specific actions to manage their health through clear instructions and practical tools. (15 possible points)
Sub-topics include: Content Purpose & Clarity, Language Accessibility, Numerical Clarity, Information Structure, Visual Design, and Visual Aid Integration. (1-3 possible points each)
Actionability: Evaluates whether the material provides clear, explicit steps and tools that help users take specific health-related actions. (5 possible points)
Sub-topics include: Action-Oriented Content, Practical Tools, and Implementation Support. (1 possible point each)
PLATO and NPLAT are trademarks of Institute for Healthcare Advancement.
For technical product or payment help, please use this online support form