Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™ LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Plain language from healthcare professionals can improve patient health

health, terminology, jargon

Health professional explaining the situation to patient's family members Source: Getty Images

Health professionals are being encouraged to use plain language that can easily be understood by everyone.


Highlights
  • Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show six out of 10 Australians have low health literacy
  • The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health is asking health professionals to think about the language they use.
  • Health professionals avoided using the term "gestational diabetes" and instead called it "diabetes in pregnancy".

Health experts say it's a simple move that will help improve health outcomes for people from non-English speaking backgrounds.


 

 

 

'it's important to engage with people from different backgrounds and learn how they talk about health.' says Natalija Nesvadba,  manager of multicultural services at Mercy Health.

 

ALSO READ / LISTEN TO  


Share

Follow SBS Filipino

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS News in Filipino

Watch it onDemand

Watch now