Forgive me the late response.
 
My understanding of the research is that for print materials, serif fonts are more readable. I too have seen mixed reactions to online materials, some sources suggesting sans serif and other serif. For AHRQ's guide for HIT for populations with limited literacy (http://healthit.ahrq.gov/images/literacy_guide102507/literacy_guide.html?fbr=1193341303546) we settled on recommending familar fonts (e.g.,Times Roman (serif) or Arial (sans serif)).
 
Cindy Brach
Center Delivery, Organization, and Markets
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
301-427-1444
fax: 301-427-1430
Cindy.Brach at ahrq.hhs.gov

________________________________

From: healthliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Horton, Kathleen
Sent: Wed 6/25/2008 10:59 AM
To: The Health and Literacy Discussion List
Subject: [HealthLiteracy 2096] Re: New Health Literacy Website


This brings up an interesting debate about fonts. 

It is my understanding that we should use sans-serif fonts online and serif fonts in print. What does the research say? I keep finding conflicting information. Is there any consensus about this?

Thanks,
Kathleen
-- 
Kathleen Horton
Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Vermont Department of Health
PO Box 70
Burlington, VT 05402
802.951.5154
khorton at vdh.state.vt.us



On 6/24/08 7:43 PM, "Laurie Anson" <ansons at epix.net> wrote:



	Matt -
	
	I like the font size - for elders in particular and for those whose reading difficulties have to do with eyesight, your font size seems about right. It is for me, at any rate - at my advanced age! 
	
	Also, our medical facility recommends a sans-serif font for its publications, as the serifs occasionally "blur" the image of the words and make the text appear too dense.
	
	Laurie Anson, RN
	Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
	
	
	On Jun 23, 2008, at 2:43 PM, Matt Gayer wrote:
	
	

		Colleagues,
		  
		  We just developed a health literacy portion on our website for the Jefferson County Health Department.  This is one of the first steps in the first effort to improve health literacy in our county, and to serve as positive models and resources for other counties to follow. I would greatly appreciate it if you could take the time to view the health literacy portion that I just developed and provide any and all positive or negative feedback concerning the site.  The link will take you to the health literacy homepage of our website, with links on the left to our health literacy page for patients, providers, and public health professionals, as well as a resource page.  I hope this site can serve as a resource to you and I look forward to hearing your comments regarding the health literacy site.  The website is:
		  
		http://www.jeffcohealth.org/healthed/healthed_healthliteracy.aspx
		  
		 
		  
		 
		  
		Thank you,
		  
		Matt
		
		
		Matt Gayer
		Community Health Intern
		Jefferson County Health Department
		1818 Lonedell Drive
		Arnold, Missouri, 63010
		Work Phone 636-282-1010
		Cell Phone 636-232-4703----------------------------------------------------
		National Institute for Literacy
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		To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/healthliteracy
		Email delivered to ansons at epix.net
		

	
	
	
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