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The CDC Clear Communication Index
The CDC Clear Communication Index
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People The CDC Clear Communication Index
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The CDC Clear Communication Index
* Clear Communication Index User Guide
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Clear Communication Index User Guide
+ What Makes the Index Different?
+ How to Use the Index
+ Developing Effective Communication Products
+ Anatomy of a Material
+ Description and Examples: Part A
o BACK
Description and Examples: Part A
o BACK
Clear Communication Index User Guide Description and Examples: Part A
o One Main Message
o Location of Main Message
o Main Message Visual Cues
o Visual Supports Main Message
o Call To Action
o Active voice
o Common words
o Bulleted or numbered lists
o Chunks and headings
o Important Information Summarized
o What We Know and Don’t Know
o The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
+ Description and Examples: Part B
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Description and Examples: Part B
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Clear Communication Index User Guide Description and Examples: Part B
o Behavioral Recommendations
o Why Behavioral Recommendations
o Specific Directions
o The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
+ Description and Examples: Part C
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Description and Examples: Part C
o BACK
Clear Communication Index User Guide Description and Examples: Part C
o Common numbers
o Number Meaning
o Mathematical calculations
o The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
+ Description and Examples: Part D
o BACK
Description and Examples: Part D
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Clear Communication Index User Guide Description and Examples: Part D
o Risk explained
o Risks and benefits
o Probability words and visuals
o The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
+ Appendix A
+ Appendix B
+ The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Example Materials
+ BACK
Example Materials
+ HAI
+ NVDRS
+ Thimerosal
+ The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
* Index Design Guides
* Index Widget
* References for Index Items
+ BACK
References for Index Items
+ Part A
+ Part B
+ Part C
+ Part D
+ The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
* Contact Us
* The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
The CDC Clear Communication Index
The CDC Clear Communication Index Home
Does the audience have to conduct mathematical calculations?
Mathematical calculations
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Be sure to do the math rather than expect the audience to calculate. Provide calculations and conversions so that the audience isn’t distracted, confused or intimidated by the numbers and formulas or misinformed by errors in their calculations. Few people are likely to take the time or able to conduct even basic mathematical calculations such as addition and subtraction. Research shows health professionals and trained statisticians can make wrong assumptions and calculation errors, depending on the context and type of calculations involved.
Keep the denominators constant. When you use different denominators, people can’t easily compare numbers. Use the same denominator, even for absolute risk (example: 1 out of 3), throughout the material so that audiences don’t have to calculate.
Example 1:
This is an example of a tool that does the calculations rather than expect the audience to calculate the BMI themselves.
Example 2:
How much money did you spend on alcohol last year?
If you had 3 alcoholic drinks a day and each drink cost $4, then you spent $4,380 last year on alcoholic drinks. What else could you do with $4,380 this year?
Adapted from: CHOICES: A Program for Women About Choosing Healthy Behaviors
Last Reviewed: August 7, 2019
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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home Index Home
* Clear Communication Index User Guide plus icon
+ What Makes the Index Different?
+ How to Use the Index
+ Developing Effective Communication Products
+ Anatomy of a Material
+ Description and Examples: Part A plus icon
o One Main Message
o Location of Main Message
o Main Message Visual Cues
o Visual Supports Main Message
o Call To Action
o Active voice
o Common words
o Bulleted or numbered lists
o Chunks and headings
o Important Information Summarized
o What We Know and Don’t Know
+ Description and Examples: Part B plus icon
o Behavioral Recommendations
o Why Behavioral Recommendations
o Specific Directions
+ Description and Examples: Part C plus icon
o Common numbers
o Number Meaning
o Mathematical calculations
+ Description and Examples: Part D plus icon
o Risk explained
o Risks and benefits
o Probability words and visuals
+ Appendix A
+ Appendix B
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Example Materials plus icon
+ HAI
+ NVDRS
+ Thimerosal
* Index Design Guides
* Index Widget
* References for Index Items plus icon
+ Part A
+ Part B
+ Part C
+ Part D
* Contact Us
Printer-friendly options
* Clear Communication Index User Guide [3.66 MB, 36 pages]
* Full Index Score Sheet [694 KB, 7 pages]
* Modified Index Score Sheet [685 KB, 7 pages]
To send comments, questions, or requests about the Index, please use our online form.
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