Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada
Objectives: Heat-health communication initiatives are a key public health protection strategy. Therefore, understanding the potential challenges that all Canadians and specific groups, such as those facing literacy barriers and non-native language speakers, may experience in accessing or interpretin...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | PEC Innovation |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277262822400116X |
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| author | Emily J. Tetzlaff Kristina-Marie T. Janetos Katie E. Wagar Farah Mourad Melissa Gorman Victor Gallant Glen P. Kenny |
| author_facet | Emily J. Tetzlaff Kristina-Marie T. Janetos Katie E. Wagar Farah Mourad Melissa Gorman Victor Gallant Glen P. Kenny |
| author_sort | Emily J. Tetzlaff |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives: Heat-health communication initiatives are a key public health protection strategy. Therefore, understanding the potential challenges that all Canadians and specific groups, such as those facing literacy barriers and non-native language speakers, may experience in accessing or interpreting information, is critical. Methods: This study reviewed and evaluated the language availability, readability, suitability, and comprehensibility of heat-related webpages and online resources (n = 417) published on public health authority websites in Canada (n = 73). Six validated readability scales and a comprehensibility instrument were used. Results: Most content was presented in English (90 %); however, only 7 % of the online resources were available in more than one language. The average reading grade level of the content (grade 8) exceeded the recommended level (grade 6), and only 22 % of the content was deemed superior for suitability and comprehensibility. Conclusions: Our study evaluating web-based materials about extreme heat published by Canadian health authorities provides evidence that the current language availability, readability, suitability, and comprehensibility may be limiting the capacity for members of the public to discern key messaging. Innovation: To ensure all Canadians can access and interpret information related to heat-health protection, public health authorities may consider translating their materials into additional languages and incorporating a readability evaluation to improve public understanding. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e0089c99f694982bfa92ccea8298572 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2772-6282 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PEC Innovation |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e0089c99f694982bfa92ccea82985722025-01-19T06:26:59ZengElsevierPEC Innovation2772-62822025-06-016100368Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in CanadaEmily J. Tetzlaff0Kristina-Marie T. Janetos1Katie E. Wagar2Farah Mourad3Melissa Gorman4Victor Gallant5Glen P. Kenny6Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Climate Change and Health Office, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, CanadaHuman and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, CanadaHuman and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, CanadaHuman and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, CanadaClimate Change and Health Office, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, CanadaClimate Change and Health Office, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON, CanadaHuman and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Corresponding author at: University of Ottawa, School of Human Kinetics, 125 University Private, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada.Objectives: Heat-health communication initiatives are a key public health protection strategy. Therefore, understanding the potential challenges that all Canadians and specific groups, such as those facing literacy barriers and non-native language speakers, may experience in accessing or interpreting information, is critical. Methods: This study reviewed and evaluated the language availability, readability, suitability, and comprehensibility of heat-related webpages and online resources (n = 417) published on public health authority websites in Canada (n = 73). Six validated readability scales and a comprehensibility instrument were used. Results: Most content was presented in English (90 %); however, only 7 % of the online resources were available in more than one language. The average reading grade level of the content (grade 8) exceeded the recommended level (grade 6), and only 22 % of the content was deemed superior for suitability and comprehensibility. Conclusions: Our study evaluating web-based materials about extreme heat published by Canadian health authorities provides evidence that the current language availability, readability, suitability, and comprehensibility may be limiting the capacity for members of the public to discern key messaging. Innovation: To ensure all Canadians can access and interpret information related to heat-health protection, public health authorities may consider translating their materials into additional languages and incorporating a readability evaluation to improve public understanding.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277262822400116XPublic healthExtreme heatHeat waveAccessibilityHeat-health protection |
| spellingShingle | Emily J. Tetzlaff Kristina-Marie T. Janetos Katie E. Wagar Farah Mourad Melissa Gorman Victor Gallant Glen P. Kenny Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada PEC Innovation Public health Extreme heat Heat wave Accessibility Heat-health protection |
| title | Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada |
| title_full | Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada |
| title_fullStr | Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada |
| title_short | Assessing the language availability, readability, suitability and comprehensibility of heat-health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in Canada |
| title_sort | assessing the language availability readability suitability and comprehensibility of heat health messaging content on health authority webpages and online resources in canada |
| topic | Public health Extreme heat Heat wave Accessibility Heat-health protection |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S277262822400116X |
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