Plain language recommendations call for using "you" -- and that is what we do for most of our patient materials. It avoids the dreaded he/she and the confusing plural (they/their). Although the "people with diabetes" is often appropriate when talking about the diabetes (or any other condition) in general terms. Often, the two are mixed in one document. For a good example, see this handout from the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP): http://ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/pubs/KnowNumbers_Eng.pdf

Doug Seubert
Guideline Editor
Quality Improvement & Care Management
Marshfield Clinic
www.marshfieldclinic.org
1000 N Oak Avenue
Marshfield, WI 54449
(715) 387-5096 (1-800-782-8581 ext. 75096)
seubert.douglas at marshfieldclinic.org


------Original Message------
From:	"Terri.Ades at cancer.org" <Terri.Ades at cancer.org>
Date:	Thu May 08, 2008 -- 03:33:40 PM
To:	healthliteracy at nifl.gov
Subject:	[HealthLiteracy 1977]  Fw: Guidance on remaining gender neurtral


Our style guidelines require that we remain gender neutral. However, my
sense is that when writing for an audience with very limited literacy
skills, using "he or she" is not easily understood.  Suggestions would be
greatly appreciated?

Terri Ades, MS, FNP-BC, AOCN
Director, Cancer Information
Health Promotions
American Cancer Society
250 Williams Street
Atlanta, GA 30303-1002
404-329-7785
tades at cancer.org

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