Formatting |
Use of bold or highlighting (colour) to attract the reader’s eye is helpful for key points Font size must be large enough to be easily read; consider your primary audience (e.g., women > 50 yr) when determining the formatting of the materials Use colour to catch the reader’s eye — something needs to draw them in, so the materials don’t seem too technical or “dull” Do not provide too much information on 1 page; if including information on both sides of a page (e.g., a letter), be certain that the reader knows to turn the page over Cover needs to grab the attention of the reader
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Statistics |
Present statistics for all issues, even if there is uncertainty in the data (e.g., for overdiagnosis) Provide comparisons (e.g., mortality rates for screened and unscreened women) to put information into context Present the information in different ways to ensure understanding (e.g., numbers, charts, graphs, infographics) Present the statistics as number in 100 or 1000 as those are the easiest numbers to relate to
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Images |
Use images sparingly Images can be used to get key information across (e.g., photographs of a mammography machine) Avoid photographs of people, where possible, so all citizens can see themselves in the photographs When including photographs of people, ensure that the diversity of the population is captured and that the photographs represent the target audience (women aged 50–74 yr)
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Structure of information |
Use headings, table of contents to make information easy to find Consider a questions-and-answer approach throughout the materials, or a frequently asked questions section Providing information in a series of short points (bullet form) can help the reader get through a large amount of information
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Language |
Consider carefully what language to use when describing risks and benefits (e.g., pros and cons, harms and benefits) Ensure that the language supports choice Be aware of the reading level of the text
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Source |
Consider other sources of information in addition to print materials: social media, websites, email campaign, in-person campaigns, television Trusted media personalities (e.g., daytime talk show hosts) for the age group could also be engaged to share the evidence
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