The CDC Clear Communication Index
Index Widget
The CDC Clear Communication Index (Index) is a research-based tool to help you develop and assess public communication materials.
- The Index has 4 introductory questions and 20 scored items drawn from scientific literature in communication and related disciplines.
- The items represent the most important characteristics that enhance and aid people’s understanding of information.
Everyday Words
Everyday Words for Public Health Communication offers expert recommendations from CDC’s Health Literacy Council and other agency communicators on how to reduce jargon and replace problematic terms in your materials in order to improve your audience’s comprehension.
Example Material
We’ve provided a few examples of the materials we tested with descriptions of what we changed.
- Healthcare-associated Infections
- National Violent Death Reporting System
- Thimerosal
Resources
- Clear Communication Index User Guide pdf icon[1 MB, 36 pages]
- Full Index Score Sheet pdf icon[694 KB, 7 pages]
- Modified Index Score Sheet pdf icon[671 KB, 7 pages]
- Comments/Questions: To send comments, questions, or requests about the Index, please use our online form.
Page last reviewed: June 5, 2021
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention