Fear mongering and scare tactics are used in public health campaigns to drive behavioural changes. We see fear in headlines for online articles, food label warnings, pamphlets and brochures. But how effective are these fear-based messages?
Health writing checklist: free downloadable list
A free checklist to help you break down the art and science of clear health writing.
20 ways to assess your writing and identify quick fixes
There’s no denying that assessing your writing is a daunting, confusing task. Luckily, there are quite a few ways to evaluate your skills so you can develop your writing abilities with confidence.
Health writing trends: what does the future hold?
What does the future hold for the health writing industry this year? Are we in good shape, and where are the opportunities? Read on to find out.
How uncertain language could be damaging your work
A US research team aimed to determine the natural indicators of uncertain language and understand how these indicators predict decisional conflict.
How health buzzwords trick consumers: Research
Health buzzwords like ‘protein’, ‘paleo’ and ‘organic’ are used by marketers as key selling points for many of today’s health products. Yet these words can also trick consumers into believing a product is healthier than it really is.
How to increase motivation and inspire behaviour change
As health writers, we focus a lot of our energy on knowledge. We write ‘how to’ articles about eating better, exercising more, breaking bad habits, making healthy choices and reducing risk factors. We offer knowledge – but, we rarely sell the desire to change.
How long does it take to write a 500-word article?
This is a question that comes up often in my course groups. And, it’s reasonable and natural to worry about time. Time is money. The less time you spend writing, the more money you make. The more time you spend researching, writing, reviewing and refining, the more your hourly rate drops.
Health literacy in South Africa – research from a local province
As health writers, we need to recognise and understand the social factors that limit health literacy so we can help our readers understand our health information. We can do this by looking at the key outcomes from a range of health literacy research into both local and global communities.
Communication between healthcare professionals – which channels work?
As health writers, we need to identify the ideal medium to share our key messages to our target audience to ensure our writing influences health outcomes.
How to get freelance work without writing experience
How do you get experience if everyone wants someone with experience?
Boost your writing confidence with these science-backed tips
Confidence is a common concern for writers. So, is it possible to build self-assurance and courage, and which methods really work?
5th Health Communication Research Review: Sep 2017
Reactance, food labelling, HPV vaccines, and more – browse the latest in evidence-based health communication.
How processing fluency can design health messages and materials
While quality medical evidence underlies accurate health writing, clear writing helps the information translate easily – enter the concept of ‘processing fluency’.
Develop a writer mindset and thrive in your career
While confidence and perseverance are important, there are a few other mindset attributes that – I believe – will help you tremendously in your writing life.