I just located two interesting websites for unversal health symbols which might be of interest to this discussion. Both point to the need for research to identify universal public health symbols.<br><br>The first is a RWJ site discussing a project they supported for hospital symbols<br> http://www.rwjf.org/newsroom/newsreleasesdetail.jsp?id=10387<br><br>and the other is the site for the Society for Environmental Graphic Design which helped them with the project.<br><br>Bertie Mo, Ph.D., MPH<br><br><b><i>"Trenter, Marcia L" <marcia.trenter@fda.hhs.gov></i></b> wrote:<blockquote class="replbq" style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"> Graphics are worth a thousands words -- unfortunately, they may be<br>interpreted incorrectly and even sometimes as the opposite message. <br><br>On over-the-counter medicines, we learned the symbol for "no", (circle<br>with diagonal bar), was frequently misunderstood to mean
the opposite on<br>over-the-counter medicines! Such as; the no sign over a pregnant women<br>meant to symbolize do not take while pregnant. Some reported it meant to<br>take while pregnant. The label on a tank of oxygen showed a graphic of a<br>burning match meant to symbolize flammable. Some reported the product<br>must be heated.<br> <br>Utilizing graphics/visuals is challenging because of the translations<br>within "any" culture. I feel until there are public health graphics and<br>symbols that are universally tested, graphics are best used to make<br>publications appearance friendly. And the objective; appearance<br>friendly, is significant.<br><br>Even graphic colors have a targeted use. History shows primary colors<br>are reserved for very young folks and seniors because they attract<br>attention and are easy to see. Pastels are reserved for teenage females<br>and younger women. Pastels often fade from appearance on publications<br>read by seniors because of seniors
loss of depth perception.<br><br>Does anyone know of any public health graphics that are universally<br>known?<br><br>____________________<br>Marcia L. Trenter<br>Special Assistant to the Office Director<br>Office of Training and Communications<br>Center for Drug Evaluation and Research<br>U.S. Food and Drug Administration <br>Office (301) 827 1671<br>Fax (301) 827 3056<br><br><br>-----Original Message-----<br>From: healthliteracy-bounces@nifl.gov<br>[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Hodge-Penn,<br>Melissa<br>Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2007 10:02 AM<br>To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List<br>Subject: [HealthLiteracy 526] Re: Wednesday Question: Visuals in Health<br>Ed.<br><br>The following are problems I see with getting health educators to use<br>visuals in their instruction.<br> - Time needed to search for and develop deliverables.<br> - Utilizing graphics that transcends cultures<br> - Utilizing graphics which are age
appropriate<br><br>Melissa Hodge-Penn, MA<br> Health Literacy Coordinator<br>DTAE/Office of Adult Literacy<br> <br><br>-----Original Message-----<br>From: healthliteracy-bounces@nifl.gov<br>[mailto:healthliteracy-bounces@nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Julie McKinney<br>Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2007 4:27 PM<br>To: healthliteracy@nifl.gov<br>Subject: [HealthLiteracy 521] Wednesday Question: Visuals in Health Ed.<br><br>Hi Everyone,<br><br>It's time for Wednesday's question, and I want to prepare for next<br>week's discussion by getting us thinking about the use of pictures and<br>visuals in passing on health information. Whether it is during a<br>clinical appointment, or more formalized health education setting, there<br>are lots of ways to present health information. What do you see as the<br>biggest problem in getting health educators to use more visuals in their<br>instructions?<br><br>Think about your own experience and let us know what you think. Send a<br>brief answer
this week, and we'll discuss it further with our guest<br>speakers next week.<br><br>All the best,<br>Julie<br><br><br>Julie McKinney<br>Discussion List Moderator<br>World Education/NCSALL<br>jmckinney@worlded.org<br><br>----------------------------------------------------<br>National Institute for Literacy<br>Health and Literacy mailing list<br>HealthLiteracy@nifl.gov<br>To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to<br>http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/healthliteracy<br>----------------------------------------------------<br><br>----------------------------------------------------<br>National Institute for Literacy<br>Health and Literacy mailing list<br>HealthLiteracy@nifl.gov<br>To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/healthliteracy<br></blockquote><br>