Learned lessons from implementation of California's policy on readability and suitability of written health education materials in a managed care setting

To maintain a publicly funded health education system that provides effective services, functions and resources, CalOptima, a managed care organization in Orange County California evaluated its review and approval process for all written health education materials in accordance with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and federal guidelines. This project utilized innovative approaches, emphasizing health literacy and education promotion strategies which are best fit to enhance the readability and suitability of written health education materials. The planning stages of this project involved the development of internal processes for materials evaluation, staff training, formulation of a field testing tool and communication to contracted networks on work plans. Upon implementation, this project reviewed over 400 materials internally created, adapted, purchased or used by 11 contracted health networks. Materials were assessed for reading level, content, layout, visuals, cultural appropriateness, translation, field tested and medical content review if clinical. This presentation will describe the criteria necessary for creating effective health education materials, detail steps taken to plan and implement a state policy at a local level, discuss collaboration efforts with vendors, and identify methods for health educators to advocate for readability and suitability in a managed care setting. Presenters will cover the successes and challenges in the planning and implementation of this state policy including the lessons learned and the community response. Ongoing, this policy and dissemination of the project results will serves as a model for future planning and implementation at the local level and globally.