Selected from over 100 entries, the CervicalCheck pictorial-led 'About your free smear test' leaflet was shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Health Promotion category of the 2011 Crystal Clear Health Literacy Awards.
The awards are designed to recognise and reward excellence in health literacy in the healthcare sector. Health Literacy is increasingly being recognised as an important issue and is a person's ability to understand basic health information, having the knowledge to understand their options and make informed decisions about their own health.
The CervicalCheck pictorial-led leaflet was developed to ensure all women (regardless of their literacy level or spoken language) could understand how to access a free smear test.
The NCSS has a statutory remit to implement special measures to promote participation in its screening programmes among marginalised women. Accordingly, the NCSS has developed an extensive communications and health promotion approach aimed at informing, educating and encouraging women to participate in the CervicalCheck programme using simple, easy-to-understand language and materials. Working closely with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), the NCSS aims to ensure all information materials can be read and easily understood by all women, regardless of their level of literacy.
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