Health Literacy and Design: Adapting Public Health Design in Response to Trauma

Abstract

This study explores the interaction between design principles and health literacy in relation to public health design and its effectiveness in communicating information. It considers factors such as literacy, design principles, history, and trust, to determine how to better public health designs when communicating information to communities who have experienced chronic trauma. The discussion of health literacy explores literacy levels in the U.S. and Flint, Michigan, and their correlation to health literacy levels in these areas. Discussion of Flint, Michigan will review the history and impact of the Flint Water Crisis on both communities and on design.