Sydney Health Literacy Lab

Sydney Health Literacy Lab

Who we are…

We are a research group within the University of Sydney’s School of Public Health led by Professor Kirsten McCaffery FAHMS. Our mission is to give all people the opportunity to have the best health outcomes for themselves and their families.

About the Lab

What is Health Literacy…

Health Literacy refers to “the personal competencies and organizational structures, resources and commitment which enable people to access, understand, appraise and use information and services in ways which promote and maintain good health” (Nutbeam & Muscat 2023). While different definitions are used and health literacy is an evolving concept, there is agreement that health literacy means more than simply being able to "read pamphlets", "make appointments", "understand food labels" or "comply with prescribed actions" from a doctor (The World Health Organisation).

Within the field of Health Literacy, our research can be divided into six broad themes:

Shared decision making

Low Value Care/Overdiagnosis

Carbon Health Literacy

Equity

Implementation Science and Behavioural Insights

Applied and Translational Health Literacy Research

Learn about our themes

SHeLL In the News

Homepage News

More people are asking generative AI questions about their health. But the wrong answer can be risky

When ‘Cancer’ Gets in the Way of Treatment

When There’s a Dearth of Good Information on Women’s Health, a Million Scams Bloom

Carbon footprint of a total knee replacement in Australia on par with driving a car from Brisbane to Sydney

Is egg freezing all it's cracked up to be?

This at-home ‘egg timer’ test is an Aussie first. What does it tell us about fertility?

Kim Kardashian recommends a full-body MRI scan – should I get one?

Can I trust my period-tracking app? Here’s what it can tell you – and what to watch out for

Elle Macpherson’s breast cancer: when the media reports on celebrity cancer, are we really getting the whole story?

Crucial information missing in Elle Macpherson breast cancer story, experts warn

Health literacy in the too much information age

How can we improve health literacy in Australia?

What women need to know about the 'egg timer' test

The Health Literacy Editor

The Sydney Health Literacy Lab has developed an online health literacy editor (SHeLL Editor). The Editor gives you real-time feedback on how easy your texts are to understand – not just the Grade reading score, but it will also point out things like uncommon words, public health jargon (and give you alternatives), passive voice, and use of acronyms.
The Editor was launched with the Health Literacy Hub. Watch the presentations here.

Launch the Health Literacy Editor
Top tips for health literacy

We’re often asked for advice on how to improve written materials’ health literacy level. So we’ve compiled a page on our four most valuable tools that we use in our research to improve the health literacy level of our work.
If you’d like more tailored advice, you may be interested in our consultancy services.

Tips and tricks
We believe in collaboration

The Sydney Health Literacy Lab is located within the University of Sydney School of Public Health. The Lab is a founding partner of the NSW Health Statewide Health Literacy Hub; a translational research partnership that seeks to build and advance health literacy leadership and capacity at local and system levels. The Lab is also a founding partner of Wiser Healthcare, an Australian research collaboration investigating overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Additional collaborative partnerships exist with the Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, and other international researchers.

About Us

Our Services

We offer bespoke health literacy research and consultancy services. This includes health literacy intervention development and testing, organisational health literacy reviews, strategy and advice, and health literacy assessments of health information and materials.

Our research group specialises in developing and testing health literacy interventions designed to improve individuals' ability to access, understand, and use health information effectively. With experience creating tailored programs that address the specific needs of diverse populations, incorporating evidence-based strategies and rigorous testing to ensure the interventions' effectiveness and impact, we are able to apply our expertise to interested parties.
We conduct comprehensive organisational health literacy reviews to assess and enhance the health communication strategies within healthcare organisations. Our reviews evaluate how well organisations provide health information to patients and communities, identify gaps, and offer recommendations for improvement, helping institutions foster a more health-literate environment.
Our team offers expert strategy and advice to organisations seeking to integrate health literacy into their practices, policies, and services. We provide tailored guidance on how to effectively improve communication, ensure accessibility, and engage diverse audiences, contributing to better health outcomes and promoting health equity.
We assess the health literacy of health information and materials to ensure that they are understandable, accessible, and actionable for various audiences. By evaluating readability, clarity, and relevance, we help organisations optimise their materials, enabling individuals to make informed health decisions and take proactive steps in managing their well-being.