Researcher works to establish new guidelines to improve health literacy

Jakob Jensen presents on health literacy to Purdue extension educators

Communication specialists in a variety of healthcare settings are being told the same thing: “Use plain language.” Plain language—using clear, straightforward prose and eliminating “unnecessary” words—is thought to be an effective way to communicate with the public. But Jakob Jensen, a new assistant professor in the Department of Communication and Regenstrief Center research associate, believes that efforts to simplify health-related messages may actually hinder an individual’s ability to understand, process and use information.  This may seem counter-intuitive, said Jensen, but in some cases, the process of simplifying messages removes important information that may allow individuals to determine a message’s validity and relevance. More

Regenstrief Foundation and Purdue strengthen efforts to improve healthcare

The Regenstrief Foundation and Purdue University will expand their partnership in designing a new prescription for the nation's healthcare system. The foundation, which helped found the university's Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering with a $3 million gift in 2005, is investing $11 million more over the next five and a half years.