Evaluating Digital Health Literacy with Data Visualizations and Infographics for Public Health Educators
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2024
Originally Published In
Journal of Health Education Teaching
Issue Number
15
Abstract
Purpose: This project explains how students in a graduate-level health literacy and advocacy course can benefit from the design and development of a digital literacy data visualization. Additionally, this study seeks to look into the perceived worth of developing a lesson on digital literacy, health literacy, and data visualization to assist students in fulfilling the duties of Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®). Methods: The pilot assignment and survey measured competencies based on CHES® Areas of Responsibility: Area IV: Evaluation and Research. Area VI: Communication. Graduate-level students enrolled in the courses (n = 23) were evaluated in the winter semester and spring quarter of 2023. Students responded to questions rating their proficiency and learning experience while participating in a digital literacy and health literacy assignment. Results: Fourteen students (61%) across the two levels started the survey. Ten students (44%) fully completed the survey. A majority of the students reported that at the conclusion of the digital literacy and data visualization assignment, they had a fundamental awareness (basic knowledge) of 10 of the 12 questions. Conclusions: Insight into the degree of proficiency in using data visualization was supplied by the benefit of developing a digital literacy, health literacy, and data visualization course to assist students in meeting the CHES® areas of responsibilities. Recommendations: Since the vast majority of people now receive information through digital media, public health educators must have the communication and technological skills necessary to disseminate fact-based knowledge that may help lessen health literacy access disparities.
