Plain Language Guide

Why Plain Language Works In Healthcare

Clear, everyday language improves understanding, supports safer decisions, reduces costs, and helps organizations operate more effectively.

What Is the communication gap in healthcare?

Health information is meant to support informed decisions. But it is often written in technical language or organized in ways that make it difficult to use. Limited comprehension often reflects how information is written and structured.

Plain language addresses this gap by presenting information in ways people can quickly understand and act upon.

The result: People have a better chance of understanding important health information.

Quick Links

Plain Language Challenges In Healthcare

9 in 10

U.S. adults have difficulty using health information in at least some situations.

Source Link

12%

Of adults have the skills needed to manage or prevent chronic disease.

Source Link

1/3

Of adults reads at or below a fifth-grade level.

Source Link

25+ Million

People in the U.S. speak English less than
“very well.”

Source Link

1 in 4

Over 65 has never used the internet.

Source Link

40% of U.S. adults

Earn under 185% the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and have lower health literacy.

Source Link

How does plain language help people?

Plain language is communication that people can find, understand, and use the first time they read or hear it.

In healthcare, plain language means:

  • Using familiar, everyday words
  • Organizing information so key points appear first
  • Writing clear instructions that tell people what to do next
  • Avoiding unnecessary jargon or technical phrasing

Plain language does not mean oversimplifying information. It means presenting important information in ways people can easily understand and act on.

Research shows that clearer materials can:

  • Increase understanding by about 30%
  • Reduce medication dosing errors by up to 46%

How does plain language benefit health organizations?

Plain language helps readers and it produces measurable benefits for health organizations.

Organizations that implement plain language practices can:

  • Reduce avoidable/unnecessary service use
  • Improve adherence to care instructions
  • Strengthen patient safety
  • Improve patient experience and satisfaction
  • Increase accessibility for diverse populations
  • Build trust in information and services

Clear communication supports better outcomes for both individuals and the systems that serve them.

What are plain language best practices?

Organizations can improve communication by following key plain language practices:

  • Use common, familiar words instead of technical terms
  • Write in short sentences and paragraphs
  • Put the most important information first
  • Use headings and lists to organize information and improve navigation
  • Provide clear instructions about what to do next

Even small changes in wording and structure can significantly improve understanding.

What Does Plain Language Look Like In Healthcare?

These principles become clearer when you see how they are applied to real communications. For example:

Before (technical language)
Patients should administer the medication bi-daily and discontinue use if adverse gastrointestinal symptoms occur.

After (plain language)
Take this medicine twice a day. Stop taking it and call your doctor if you have stomach pain or vomiting.

Clear wording helps readers understand instructions quickly and reduces the chance of medication errors.

How does IHA support plain language implementation?

The Institute for Healthcare Advancement offers tools and training to help organizations and their teams integrate plain language into everyday workflows.

HealthLiteracyCopilot™ is the only AI-powered web platform developed for regulated health communication to evaluate content against validated, evidence-based standards. It creates, assesses, revises and translates health content into plain language to improve patient understanding and compliance, delivering optimal health outcomes.

Learn More

IHA’s PlainLanguagePro course builds the specific skills you need to apply health literacy practices to health materials. This virtual training focuses on the practical side of clear communication, helping you improve the design, writing, and presentation of health information so it’s easier to understand and use.

Learn More

IHA’s comprehensive, accredited online Health Literacy Specialist Certificate Program (HLSCP) builds your health literacy knowledge to empower you with the critical skills needed to integrate health literacy by communicating clearly, building trust, and reducing complexity to improve health outcomes.

Learn More

Expert review and redesign of existing systems and materials to improve clarity across systems, aiming to build capacity, improve communication and achieve measurable results.

Learn More

The Bottom Line

Plain language helps people understand information, follow instructions, and make informed health decisions.

For health organizations, clearer communication can improve safety, reduce unnecessary utilization, improve outcomes and strengthen trust.

When organizations apply plain language consistently, communication becomes easier to use, easier to trust, and more effective.

When supported with tools, training, and consistent standards, plain language can become part of everyday communication across healthcare systems.

For technical product or payment help, please use this online support form