Christopher R. Trudeau is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Chris builds upon his extensive background in health literacy, plain-language communication, and healthcare regulation to now explore how generative AI tools like ChatGPT Health are reshaping how people understand and act on health information. While well-aware of potential risks and benefits of this technology, Chris is looking for ways that AI can support human decision-making rather than replace it. Chris shares that work publicly at Trudeau.ai.

Listen as Chris Trudeau and Helen Osborne discuss:

• AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AI Health. What these technologies are, how they have evolved in recent years.
• Benefits (actual, and potential) of such technology.
• Risks (actual, and potential) of such technology.
• What those of us who care about health literacy can do now when it comes to AI and AI Health.

More Ways to Learn:

• Trudeau.ai
• “AI Literacy Is Becoming a Health Equity Issue: What Economist Impact’s New Roadmap Reveals,” by Christopher Trudeau, posted on January 17, 2026
• “ChatGPT Health: Why Health Literacy Now Requires AI Literacy,” by Christopher Trudeau posted on January 8, 2026
• Lawyers Can Help with Health Literacy, Too. HLOL podcast interview with Christopher Trudeau

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Technology E-health” is especially relevant to this podcast episode.

The post Health Literacy and AI (HLOL #271) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Jennifer Harvey MD, FACR is Professor and Chair of Imaging Sciences at the University of Rochester in New York. Prior to this, she was Professor of Radiology at the University of Virginia Health System where she led the division of Breast Imaging and the Breast Care Program. Dr. Harvey served as the breast imaging section head for the American Institute of Radiologic Pathology and continues as faculty. Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Harvey is a well-published researcher, lecturer, and journal editor. Her book, Making the Diagnosis: A Practical Approach to Breast Imaging, has been translated into 4 languages.

Listen as Dr. Harvey talks with Helen Osborne about:

• The role of radiologists in breast care.
• Talking with patients about bad news. This might happen in-person, by phone, or in advance of patients seeing their results on a portal.
• Strategies for making bad news easier for patients to hear and physicians to discuss.

More Ways to Learn:

• Making the Diagnosis: A Practical Approach to Breast Imaging, by Jennifer Harvey and David E March, published by Saunders.

·      “Breaking Bad News: A Primer for Radiologists in Breast Imaging.” Harvey, Jennifer A. et al. Journal of the American College of Radiology, Volume 4, Issue 11, 800 – 808

• “New Protocol Helps Radiologists Navigate Difficult Conversations: Framework offers seven-stop approach to delivering sensitive results with clarity and compassion,” by Melissa Silverberg, RSNA, Dec 05, 2025.
• Dense Breast-info.org

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “You: Compassion, Empathy, and Humanity” is especially relevant to this podcast episode.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Talking with Patients about Bad News (HLOL #270) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Samantha Sobie DNP, APRN, NNP-BC is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Specialist at AngelEye Health. She has over a decade of experience working in NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Units). Samantha’s doctoral work focused on assessing health literacy and improving the NICU discharge process. Today, she combines her clinical expertise with digital innovation to support families and care teams during the NICU journey.

Listen as Samantha Sobie and Helen Osborne talk about:

• Neonatal teaching. Communicating essential information at a time when parents may be feeling stunned, traumatized, and overwhelmed.
• The 5 Rights of Medication Administration. A framework that can be adapted to teaching parents in the NICU. These include right education, right dose, right patient/caregiver, right route, and right time.
• Examples of ways to apply this teaching framework in other settings including community services, public health, and other aspects of clinical care.

More ways to learn:

• Follow the 5 “Rs” of Medication Safety. While this topic is covered in many textbooks, Sobie likes this article from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as it highlights how parents can effectively give medications at home and how caregivers can support them.
• AngelEye Health NICU2Home. How AngelEye Health leverages technology to reinforce the 5 rights of medication administration and apply these rights to family education.

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Know Your Audience: Children and Youth” is especially relevant to this podcast episode.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Neonatal Teaching: Health Literacy Lessons for Us All (HLOL #269) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Eli Gerard has worked with Canine Companions for nearly a decade, including five years as a trainer. He now serves as the Program Field Representative for the Northeast Region. Eli assists with all aspects of the program including puppy raising support, placement of dogs released from the program, and direct work with clients. He brings to this his experience working in special education and enjoyment of many outdoor activities.

Jennifer Johnson has worked as a Child Life Specialist at Sutter Health in California for over 30 years. Most of that time, she specialized in pediatric oncology, supporting children and families as they navigate the significant stress and challenges of cancer treatment. In 2004, Jennifer became a Canine Companions graduate with her first facility dog, Millie. Together, they were pioneers in integrating facility dogs into the pediatric units at Sutter Health. Jennifer has worked with several dogs since, including her newest one, Bill. There are now 16 facility dog graduate teams across the Sutter Health system. As Jennifer shares, the positive impact of these dogs is truly powerful medicine.

Eli Gerard and Jennifer Johnson talk with Helen Osborne about:

• Canine Companions. A non-profit organization that provides trained service dogs and ongoing support to people with disabilities free of charge.
• Service dogs. Breeds of dogs, their training, and acquired skills.
• Facility dogs. How they help in inpatient and outpatient pediatric care.
• Ways for listeners to get involved through volunteering or perhaps even using facility dogs in their settings.

More ways to learn:

• Canine Companions
• Sutter Health Animal-Assisted Therapy

Videos:

• Making an Impact with Canine Companions
• Canine Companions Facility Dogs at Sutter Health
• How to Approach a Service Dog in Public

Social Media:

• @canineorg
• @SutterFacilityDogs

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Community Connections” is especially relevant to this podcast episode.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Canine Companions and Facility Dogs in Healthcare (HLOL #268) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Tamara Huntley is a licensed social worker and passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities. Born with cerebral palsy, Tamara serves as the Self-Advocacy Liaison for the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and contributes to research through Brandeis University’s Bridges Project. Tamara is a widow and proud single mother of two. Professionally and personally, Tamara’s commitment is to create a more inclusive world.

Joanne Nicholson, PhD is a clinical and research psychologist, Professor at the Institute for Behavioral Health at Brandeis University, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the UMass Chan Medical School. Joanne’s research focuses on interventions, services, and support for families living with behavioral health conditions and disability. Joanne always partners with whose who bring lived experience. The PCORI-funded Bridges Project team, an active collaboration between Brandeis and partners at the Harvard Medical School Countway Library, includes mothers living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and focuses on promoting “Research Better Together.”

Listen as Tamara Huntley and Joanne Nicholson talk with Helen Osborne about:

• Disabilities can include people with intellectual, physical and mental health challenges. Often, disabilities affect communication.
• Recommendations about ways to communicate clearly and respectfully with people who have disabilities.
• The value to everyone when partnering with people who bring lived experience whether in clinical care, research, or community settings.

More Ways to Learn:

• “Mothers with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Health Conditions and Community Experts Provide Recommendations for Treatment/Services, Systems, and Research.” By Nicholson J, Mazel S, Faughnan K, Silverman A. Int J Environ Res Public Health, May 19, 2023.
• Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC)

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. All the chapters about “Know Your Audience” are relevant to this podcast.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Communicating Clearly with People Who Have Disabilities (HLOL #267) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Dr Caroline Foreman B.Sc BMBS FRACP is a clinical immunology and allergy specialist, with a special interest in the communication of allergies. As Medical Director of the not-for-profit foundation MedicAlert Australia, Caroline provides clinical oversight and guidance to ensure that this foundation maintains its high clinical standards.

Listen as Dr Caroline Foreman talks with Helen Osborne about:

• Emergency health information. A simplified medical history that prioritizes information about what to do and not do in an emergency.
• How this information helps first responders, doctors, and patients.
• Ways patients can be their own advocate even in an emergency by sharing essential health information with MedicAlert’s scannable QR code.

More ways to learn:

• How MedicAlert’s QR code works (video demonstration on youtube)
• When Patients Create Their Own Binders: A Powerful Way to Get Organized and Feel More in Control. Health Literacy Out Loud podcast interview with Bridget Gaglio

Information about MedicAlert in Australia:

• Trusted Medical ID and Alert Jewellery by MedicAlert®
• MedicAlert’s QR ID Code
• MedicAlert Foundation Australia | Facebook
• MedicAlert Australia (@medicalert.au) • Instagram photos and videos

Information about MedicAlert in USA:

• MedicAlert Foundation
• QR Code Medical IDs, MedicAlert Foundation

Information about MedicAlert in Canada:

• MedicAlert Foundation Canada | We Speak When You Can’t
• MedicAlert’s New +CARD

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Community Connections” is especially relevant to this podcast.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Emergency Health Information (HLOL #266) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Liz Seegert is an award-winning, independent journalist. Liz has written about health for more than 30 years. Her main beats include aging, women’s health, social determinants of health, and health policy. Liz’s articles have appeared in dozens of national and local media outlets including Scientific American, TIME, The American Journal of Nursing, and Web MD/Medscape. Liz is the contributing editor on aging and health equity for the Association of Healthcare Journalists (AHCJ). She also co-directs two fellowship programs–mentoring and training emerging journalists in aging and in health reporting.

Listen as Liz Seegert talks with Helen Osborne about:

• Narrative Journalism. What it is and how narrative journalism uses real-life stories to make points clear and compelling.
• Ways to include elements of narrative journalism in messages about health, public health, and health advocacy.
• Recommendations from a journalist. These include tips for working with sources who let you share their stories. And examples of ways to respond when editors, lawyers, and others comment on your writing.

More ways to learn:

• Liz Seegert: Health Journalist/Writer
• Liz Seegert on LinkedIn
• Liz Seegert on Bluesky
• Association of Health Care Journalists Age Beat

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “General Public: Traditional Media” is especially relevant to this podcast

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Narrative Journalism: Stories to Make Points Clear and Compelling (HLOL #265) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Today’s two guests are leaders of the new United States Health Literacy Association (USHLA).

• Karen Komondor, RN, BSN, CCRN, is the co-founder and president of USHLA. Recognized for her ongoing leadership and expertise in health literacy, Karen’s passion for this topic comes from knowing why, both personally and professionally, understandable health communication matters so much. Karen is Founder and President of Health Literacy 360, LLC, a consulting and training firm that focuses on enhancing healthcare communication practices. In all her work, Karen builds on collaboration to expand the boundaries of health literacy.
• Monique Hill, MSW, is the Secretary of USHLA. She also is the Founder and Lead Consultant of HELP Solutions, a health equity consulting firm launched in 2022. Prior to this, Monique served as an Associate Professor and Health Literacy and Partnership Engagement Advisor for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Region 2. Monique’s ongoing mission is to ensure that every community has the tools, understanding, and support to take charge of their health.

Helen Osborne talks with Karen Komondor and Monique Hill about:

• United States Health Literacy Association (USHLA) is a national, grassroots, non-profit organization. Its focus is to be “policy-powered” and “advocacy-driven.”
• USHLA is designed as a dynamic forum where individuals and organizations can connect, collaborate, take action, and share resources to advance health literacy. It is about building synergy, rather than remaining in silos.
• Opportunities and encouragement to get involved with USHLA.

More ways to learn:

• United States Health Literacy Association (USHLA)
• Health Literacy 360, LLC (Karen Komondor)
• Health Equity & Literacy Partnership (HELP) Solutions (Monique Hill)
• Health Literacy definitions in Healthy People 2030
• “The Value of Knowing Why Health Literacy Matters,” HLOL podcast interview with Karen Komondor
• “Learning and Teaching about Health & Insurance,” HLOL podcast interview with Bonnie Braun

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Organizations: Health Literacy Across Programs, Companies, Communities, and Countries” is especially relevant to this podcast.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post U.S. Health Literacy Association: From Silos to Synergy (HLOL #264) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Helen is taking a break to recover from back surgery, so we’re re-running some classic episodes. Here’s one from 2024.

Rear Admiral (RDML) Paul Reed, MD is the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, the Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, a pediatrician, and a senior U.S. Public Health Service Officer. His primary responsibility is to advise the Assistant Secretary for Health on disease prevention and health promotion programs and policies. Additionally, RDML Reed provides direction and oversight for national health initiatives such as Healthy People 2030, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.

In this podcast, RDML Paul Reed talks with Helen Osborne about:

• Finding health in context of people’s lives including in the environments where they live, work, play, grow, and age.
• Reframing health in terms of vital conditions for well-being and justice.
• Building resilience within communities and encouraging citizens to flex their “civic muscles” so as to help everyone reach their full potential.

More ways to Learn:

• Health.gov. Includes important links to health literacy information and resources. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
• Health Literacy in Healthy People 2030. Includes the health literacy definitions and objectives in this U.S. public health initiative. From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
• Vital Conditions for Health and Well-Being Framework, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
• “Health and Well-Being Begin with Health Literacy”, a blog post by RDML Paul Reed, October 12, 2021
• “Organizations Have an Opportunity to Enhance Health Literacy”, a blog post by RDML Paul Reed, October 25, 2022.
• “Living Artful Lives to Enhance Health and Well-Being”, a blog post by RDML Paul Reed, March 28, 2023.
• “Establishing Equitable Resilience Requires Shared Stewardship”, a blog post by RDML Paul Reed, January 30, 2023
• “Akron-Summit County Public Library and Healthy People: Prioritizing Educational Opportunities for Community Members”, a blog post that is part of Healthy People 2020 in Review, December 5, 2022
• “Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry and Healthy People: Repairing Homes to Help Ensure Safety and Independence”, a blog post that is part of Healthy People 2020 in Review, November 9, 2022.
• “Sacramento Public Library and Healthy People: Prioritizing Health Literacy to Meet Community Members’ Needs”, a blog post that is part of Healthy People 2020 in Review, October 26, 2022.

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. Especially relevant to this podcast are the chapters, “Community Connections,” “Health Equity in the Context of Health Literacy,” and “Organizations: Health Literacy Across Programs, Companies, Communities, and Countries.”

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Re-Airing: Health in the Context of People’s Lives (HLOL #263) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Helen is taking a break to recover from back surgery, so we’re re-running some classic episodes. Here’s one from 2019.

Bridget Gaglio PhD, MPH is a Senior Program Officer for the Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science program at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). She works to improve communication and dissemination of evidence-based information among patients and their healthcare providers. Gaglio has published papers on patient-centered communication, health literacy, and dissemination and implementation of health interventions. But this podcast isn’t about that. Rather, it’s about experiences and lessons Bridget and Helen each learned as patients.

In this podcast, Helen Osborne talks with Bridget Gaglio about:

• Becoming a patient can happen in a moment, whether from an accident or unexpected diagnosis. Some reasons that communication can be very hard, even for patients who are good readers and savvy about health.
• Why to create your own medical binder and what to include. How such binders (on paper, electronic, or both) can help patients feel empowered and more in control.
• Tips, suggestions, and lessons learned for patients and providers, alike.

More Ways to Learn:

• PCORI’s Advisory Panel on Clinical Effectiveness and Decision Science.
• “Health Literacy—An Important Element in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research,”by Bridget Gaglio, published in The Journal of Health Communication, September 26, 2016.
• “Health Literacy Out Loud podcast, “After Visit Summaries (HLOL #152).”An interview with Alex Federman, MD, MPH. July 1, 2016.

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Second Edition (updated 2018),by Helen Osborne. Chapter 5 is especially relevant to this podcast, “Communicating When Patients Feel Scared, Sick, and Overwhelmed.”

Read the transcript of this podcast.

The post Re-Airing: When Patients Create Their Own Medical Binders: A Powerful Way to Get Organized and Feel More in Control (HLOL #262) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.

Leslie J. Pelton, MPA is a senior program officer at The John A. Hartford Foundation, where she oversees grants that are transforming care for older adults and family caregivers through the Age-Friendly Health Systems movement. Prior to this, Leslie was vice president at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, where she collaborated with funders, national partners and leading health systems to design and spread Age-Friendly Health Systems. As of May 2025, more than 5,200 hospitals, medical practices, nursing homes, clinics, and home health care agencies, this movement is committed to delivering evidence-based care to reduce harm and align with what matters to older patients and their caregivers.

Listen as Leslie Pelton talks with Helen Osborne about:

• Age-Friendly Health Systems. What these systems are, where they happen, why they matter throughout the continuum of care
• The essential 4Ms of Age-Friendly Health Systems: 1) What Matters 2) Medication 3) Mentation 4) Mobility
• How clinicians, older adults, family caregivers, healthcare facilities, community organizations and others can routinely use the 4Ms of age-friendly care

More ways to learn:

• Age-Friendly Health Systems
• My Health Checklist
• The John A. Hartford Foundation
• IHI (Institute for Healthcare Improvement)
• Care Compare: Doctors and Clinicians Initiative (CMS)

Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition, by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Know Your Audience: Older Adults” is especially relevant to this podcast.

Read a transcript of this podcast.

The post Age-Friendly Health Systems (HLOL #261) appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast.