Ben,

The best reference I know about how to create clear, accessible charts and graphs is this: Bigwood S and Spore M. Presenting Numbers, Tables, and Charts. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. It's a small paperback that's easy to use with great tips and examples. It seems to be currently unavailable on Amazon so you may need to contact the publisher.

There are also some very nice examples of re-inventing clear charts in this guide: Southern Institute on Children and Families. The Health Literacy Style Manual, 2005. Available at: http://coveringkidsandfamilies.org/resources/docs/stylemanual.pdf 
As you can see, this one is publicly accessible online.

Kudos to you for recognizing that even well-educated audiences appreciate clear health communication. Good luck!

Sue Stableford

Sue Stableford, MPH, MSB, Director
Health Literacy Institute
Center for Health Policy, Planning & Research
University of New England
716 Stevens Ave.
Portland, Maine 04103
Tel: 207-221-4567
email: sstableford at une.edu
fax: 207-523-1914
www.HealthLiteracyInstitute.net
www.ClearLanguageGroup.com



>>> Benjamin T Wise <btw01 at health.state.ny.us> 7/1/2008 10:15 AM >>>


I am looking for samples of research or survey summaries that are simple
and effective at getting the key points across, using text and data
(graphs, charts, or simple tables).

We are developing a brief of New York State's Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance Survey on STD behaviors, and would like to produce something
that is simple and to-the-point.  We already plan on writing using plain
language and ~6th grade reading level (target audience = policymakers,
school boards/superintendents/principals/teachers, and
community/faith-based organizations; not general public distribution).

This is a new direction compared to previous briefs that we have developed,
and are looking for some good products to borrow ideas from - both from a
data perspective and a layout/aesthetic perspective.  Unfortunately, there
are many products that present data poorly or present too much/too complex
data.

Any guidance/assistance would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ben

*********************************************************
Benjamin T. Wise, MS, CHES
Public Health Educator
NYS Department of Health
Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease Control
1168 Corning Tower, ESP
Albany, NY 12237-0670
Phone: (518) 471-3598
Fax: (518) 474-3491
e-mail: btw01 at health.state.ny.us 


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