Presented by Diane Dlouhy, MD, & Patrick Harris, MPH on March 12, 2015 at the fifth Center for Health Literacy Conference: Plain Talk in Complex Times.

2.  Diane Dlouhy, MD
 Patrick Harris, MPA
Communications Team
Division of STD Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STDs, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

3.  Describe a realistic process to revise
public-facing scientific content with
clear communication and plain
language principles;
 Balancing clarity of message with
nuanced, scientific information;
 Creating and maintaining a mutually
respectful, cohesive multidisciplinary
communications work group

4.  SMEs own the fact sheet contents
 The communications team owns the
process, including the use of plain
language and clear communication

5.  Selection of subject matter experts
› Getting SMEs on board with the
revision/development of plain language
materials
 Quick clarification of review vs revision
 Meeting structure and key players
› Handout—Patrick explains

6.  Bifurcation of fact sheets
› How the basic and detailed fact sheets
came to be (description of audience-
centered language barriers and solutions)
 Decision to use Q&A format
 Response received from general public
after materials went live

7.  Advantages of virtual meetings
› Maintain initial face-to-face
› Accelerate process, accommodate telework
schedules
 Competing priorities vis-à-vis availability
and timelines
 Communications team has to keep the
process moving

8.  CDC’s Gonorrhea Fact Sheets
› Basic and Detailed
› Smooth road
 CDC’s STDs & Pregnancy Fact Sheet
› Basic with table and glossary
› Rocky road
 Opportunities for improvement

9.  Diane Dlouhy – IQU0@cdc.gov
 Patrick Harris – PBH3@cdc.gov