Using video novellas and plain language publications to educate Latino women about safe medication use

Background: Forty-one percent of Hispanic/Latino adults have below basic health literacy skills (2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy). As a result, many face difficulties performing everyday health tasks such as reading medication instructions, handling drug side effects, and using medical devices like glucose meters. The FDA Office of Women's Health (OWH) launched the “Take Time to Care” program to provide women with easy-to-read, English and Spanish language materials on topics such as diabetes, HIV, mammography, menopause, and safe medication use. In 2010, OWH expanded its media outreach to include video public service announcements and a series of video novellas to deliver appropriate key messages on safe medication use to Spanish-speaking women. As an educational tool, the video novella uses an engaging and entertaining format with a culturally relevant story line that US Hispanic women easily identify with and are highly motivated to share with family and friends.

Methods: 1) OWH translated and adapted FDA scientific information in plain language publications which were focus-group tested in English and Spanish. OWH worked with the FDA studios to script and film four video novellas and two video PSAs. 2) OWH utilized a multi-tiered outreach model to disseminate the print and video materials through partnerships with national and community based organizations.

Results: OWH publications and videos have been disseminated free of charge to over 30 million consumers nationwide through partnerships with community health centers, Hispanic churches, and national groups such as NCLR, NHMA, and Telemundo. OWH videos have been broadcast on satellite and cable networks resulting in over 14 million media impressions.

Conclusion: Through the use of innovative outreach partnerships, OWH is providing Hispanic women and their families with entertaining and easy-to-understand health information.