Disability and Health Journal
Volume 3, Issue 3 , Pages 146-154, July 2010

An evaluation of health communication materials for individuals with disabilities developed by three state disability and health programs

  • Pamela Williams-Piehota, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • Jennifer Uhrig, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • Julia Kish Doto, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • Wayne Anderson, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • Peyton Williams, B.A.

      Affiliations

    • RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
    • ,
  • JoAnn M. Thierry, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., NE, MS F-63, Atlanta, GA, 30341. Phone: (770) 488-1556.

published online 02 November 2009.

Abstract 

Background

Health communication increasingly has been recognized as an important part of public health practice that can help raise awareness of potential health risks, influence attitudes and beliefs, and motivate individuals to change unhealthy behaviors. Yet, few health communication messages exist that target people with disabilities. An evaluation was conducted to assess the relevance and usefulness of health communication materials developed by or disseminated in, or both, three state disability and health programs.

Methods

Health care providers and people with a variety of physical and sensory disabilities participated in the evaluation. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected in each of the three states using key informant interviews, focus groups, and a Web-based provider survey.

Results

State program staff reported that health communication strategies and messages should be developed to improve access and remove barriers to health care, provide access to facilities, empower consumers, and educate health care providers about the needs of people with disabilities. Several of these needs are consistent with the needs identified by consumers in the focus groups. Consumers indicated that improvements to the overall content and design of the state-developed health communication materials are needed, yet health care and human service providers who participated in the Web-based survey were generally satisfied with the materials. Nearly all providers reported being aware of the materials; however, consumers were not familiar with the state-developed materials reviewed by the focus groups.

Conclusions

Improvements in the content and dissemination of health promotion materials designed by states are indicated. Implications for public health practice, including recommendations for improving future health communication materials, are addressed in this article.

Keywords: Disability, Health communication, Evaluation

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 Financial disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preparation of this manuscript was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through contract 200-2001-00123 to RTI International.

PII: S1936-6574(09)00069-7

doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.08.002

Disability and Health Journal
Volume 3, Issue 3 , Pages 146-154, July 2010

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