Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast

[https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/L_PeltonHeadshot2_forwebsite-150x150.jpeg]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 [https://www.ihi.org/networks/initiatives/age-friendly-health-systems] * My Health Checklist [https://www.ihi.org/my-health-checklist] * The John A. Hartford Foundation [https://www.johnahartford.org/] * IHI (Institute for Healthcare Improvement) [https://www.ihi.org/] * Care Compare: Doctors and Clinicians Initiative [https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/physician-compare-initiative] (CMS) Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition [https://healthliteracy.com/health-literacy-from-a-to-z-third-edition-practical-ways-to-communicate-your-health-message/], by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Know Your Audience: Older Adults” is especially relevant to this podcast. The post Age-Friendly Health Systems (HLOL #261) [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2025/07/01/age-friendly-health-systems-hlol-261/] appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com].

[https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Zallen-photo-copy-2-150x150.jpeg][https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20181217_134131-150x150.jpeg]Doris Zallen, PhD, is Professor Emerita of Science Studies and Humanities at Virginia Tech. Her research explores personal, family, and societal issues arising from advances in genetic testing and gene therapy. Zallen is the author of two books about genetic testing and is developing an online tool to help people make informed choices about testing. Zallen always draws from the experiences of genetic professionals along with everyday people making decisions about whether to have genetic testing. Jamie Tyrone has been a patient advocate for many years after accidently learning that she has the gene that puts her at high risk for Alzheimer’s Disease. Ever since, Tyrone’s advocacy has taken many forms including as a research participant, co-author, and member of several professional committees. Tyrone wrote a book about her experience, Fighting for My Life – How to Thrive in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s.  Listen as Doris Zallen, Jamie Tyrone, and Helen Osborne discuss: * Genetic tests. What these tests are, why they often are used, ways to get tested within or outside of a clinical setting. * Jamie Tyrone’s story as an example of what went so wrong after having a direct-to-consumer genetic test and then learning the results. * How genetic test results can affect a person’s future health decisions, family, and finances. * Tips for making a reasoned choice about whether to get tested along with strategies to more clearly communicate about genetic testing. More ways to learn: * Does It Run in the Family?: A Consumer’s Guide to DNA Testing for Genetic Disorders [https://www.amazon.com/Does-Run-Family-Consumers-Disorders/dp/0813524466], by Doris Zallen, Rutgers University Press,1997. * To Test or Not To Test: A Guide to Genetic Screening and Risk [https://www.amazon.com/Test-Not-Guide-Genetic-Screening/dp/0813543789], by Doris Zallen, Rutgers University Press, 2008. * Fighting for My Life: How to Thrive in the Shadow of Alzheimer’s [https://www.amazon.com/Fighting-My-Life-Thrive-Alzheimers/dp/0785222103/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FRVSUQELSF3Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DmCPa3P9KtExCciJs0dqKLo96l9mj8qmrxcIWCMyRYM.y7MFEkRER256bamm7dznZEelZsRybCjIfcgmosDG_Io&dib_tag=se&keywords=Fighting+for+My+Life+-+How+to+Thrive+in+the+Shadow+of+Alzheimer%27s.&qid=1741702015&s=books&sprefix=fighting+for+my+life+-+how+to+thrive+in+the+shadow+of+alzheimer%27s.%2Cstripbooks%2C186&sr=1-1], by Jamie Tyrone, Harper Collins, 2019. * “Disclosing Individual Results in Dementia Research: A Proposed Study Participant’s Bill of Rights,” [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36278354/] J Alzheimers Disease, 2022. By Walter S, Taylor A, Tyrone J, Langer S, Pagan J-R, Hummel CH, Wheaton BM, Zallen DT, Rosen AC. * AGREEDementia [https://www.agreedementia.org/]: Advisory Group on Risk Education for Dementia * “Return of Individual Results,” [https://mrctcenter.org/project/return-of-individual-results/] from the MRCT (Multi-Regional Clinical Trials) Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard. * Gene Test or Not [https://genetestornot.org/]? This online tool is designed to help decide whether or not to get tested for your genetic risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It spells out specific personal, family, and societal issues to consider when deciding about any particular form of genetic testing. Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition [https://healthliteracy.com/health-literacy-from-a-to-z-third-edition-practical-ways-to-communicate-your-health-message/], by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Decisions About Treatment, End-of-Live Choices, or Whether to Participate in Clinical Trials” is especially relevant to this podcast. Read a transcript of this podcast. [https://healthliteracy.com/2025/06/06/genetic-testing-conversation-with-a-researcher-and-patient-advocate-hlol-260-2/] The post Genetic Testing; Conversation with a Researcher and Patient Advocate (HLOL #260) [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2025/06/01/genetic-testing-conversation-with-a-researcher-and-patient-advocate-hlol-260/] appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com].

[https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/KarelvanderWaarde_May2024-3-150x150.jpeg]Karel van der Waarde is an information designer based in Belgium. His projects often focus on medication information that is given to patients by doctors and pharmacists. Karel teaches about information design to audiences worldwide. He is active in many professional associations including the International Institute for Information Design (IIID). He also was part of the team that developed the 2023 International ISO standards for plain language (ISO 24495). Listen as Karel van der Waarde talks with Helen Osborne about: * Is health literacy essentially about the ability of people or the ability of information? How health literacy often goes beyond these binary choices. Context and everyday distractions should also be considered. * The importance of designing materials with people who will use this information. This process starts by learning about their needs and continues through user testing to measure effectiveness. * Tips and resources for clinicians, designers, community agencies, and everyone who wants to clearly communicate about health. More ways to learn: * Karel van der Waarde [http://www.graphicdesign-research.com/Karel/index.html] * “Enabling patients by listening to them,” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O1zh-D0sO0] a TEDxHSLU talk by Karel van der Waarde * International Institute for Information Design (IIID) [https://www.iiid.net/] * ISO plain language standard [https://www.iplfederation.org/iso-standard/], from the International Plain Language Federation * “Using Design to Get Readers to Read and Keep Reading,” [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2009/12/07/hlol-29-using-design-to-get-readers-to-read-and-keep-reading/] a Health Literacy Out Loud podcast interview with Karen Schriver * “How Visual Cues Help Readers Read,” [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2013/04/30/how-visual-cues-help-readers-read-hlol-95/] a Health Literacy Out Loud podcast interview with Josiah Fisk  Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition [https://healthliteracy.com/health-literacy-from-a-to-z-third-edition-practical-ways-to-communicate-your-health-message/], by Helen Osborne. The chapters “Document Design” and “Plain Language” are especially relevant to this podcast. Read a transcript of this podcast. [https://healthliteracy.com/2025/05/04/discussing-health-literacy-with-an-information-designer-hlol-259-2/] The post Discussing Health Literacy with an Information Designer (HLOL #259) [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2025/05/01/discussing-health-literacy-with-an-information-designer-hlol-259/] appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com].

[https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cheryl-clowns-150x150.jpeg] [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kenny-clowns-150x150.jpeg]Cheryl Lekousi is the Executive Director of the Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troup based in Needham, MA. In her work as a clown, Cheryl is referred to as “Tic Toc.” Building on anextensive background in special needs education and early child development, Cheryl now makes clown visits to pediatric hospital units, memory care facilities for older adults, and a range of community events for ill and disabled children. Kenny Raskin is the Artistic Director of Hearts & Noses, training the troupe in clowning skills, partnering, and sensitivity to hospital staff and patients and their families. As a clown, Kenny is known as “Dr. Mensch.” Kenny is recognized internationally for his skills as a physical comedian and clown. He has performed in numerous films, circuses, television shows, and stage productions. Kenny even was the comic sidekick of the villain Gaston in the Broadway production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Cheryl Lekousi and Kenny Raskin talk with Helen Osborne about: * Medical clowns: What they do, who they are, ways clowns can help. * Stories and examples of medical clowns in action across the lifespan. * Lessons learned for the rest of us about bringing some joy and humanity to otherwise stressful medical situations. More ways to learn more: * Hearts & Noses Hospital Clown Troup [https://www.heartsandnoses.org/]e * Michael Christensen: Clown, Juggler, Circus Director [http://www.circopedia.org/Michael_Christensen] * “Clown Doctors as a Treatment for Preoperative Anxiety in Children: A Randomized, Prospective Study” [https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/116/4/e563/68024/Clown-Doctors-as-a-Treatment-for-Preoperative?redirectedFrom=fulltext], by Vagnoli et al, Pediatrics, 2005. * Medical Clowning: The Healing Performance, by Amnon Raviv * New Perspectives on Medical Clowning: Clown Doctors in COVID-19, Wartime, and the Everyday, by Amnon Raviv * Beyond the Red Nose, The Serious Business of Healthcare Clowning, by Tiffany Riley * The Clown Doctor Chronicles, by Caroline Simonds & Bernie Warren Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition [https://healthliteracy.com/health-literacy-from-a-to-z-third-edition-practical-ways-to-communicate-your-health-message/], by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Zest and Pizzazz” is especially relevant to this podcast. Read a transcript of this podcast. [https://healthliteracy.com/2025/04/07/medical-clowns-a-dose-of-joy-for-patients-of-all-ages-hlol-258-2/] The post Medical Clowns: A Dose of Joy for Patients of All Ages (HLOL #258) [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2025/04/01/medical-clowns-a-dose-of-joy-for-patients-of-all-ages-hlol-258/] appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com].

[https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Profile-Photo-CP-150x150.png]Christopher Pizzute, MA, LCAT, MT-BC, is a music psychotherapist who works in inpatient and outpatient services at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. His expertise extends to palliative, psychiatric, geriatric, pediatric, and neonatal care. Christopher is also a songwriter, artist, and video game advocate whose work now extends to exploring the benefit of video game music as part of music therapy. Listen as Christopher Pizzute and Helen Osborne talk about: * The importance of music throughout the life cycle. * Examples of using music to support patient care. * Some ways to include music in healthcare and community settings. More ways to learn more: * Mount Sinai Health System, The Louis Armstrong Department of Music Therapy [https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/music-therapy/about] * “The Effects of Music Therapy on Vital Signs, Feeding, and Sleep in Premature Infants,” [https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/131/5/902/31313/The-Effects-of-Music-Therapy-on-Vital-Signs?redirectedFrom=fulltext]Loewy J et al, Pediatrics, May 2013. * https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/loewylab/ [https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/loewylab/] ‘The Loewy Laboratory’ Research website for the Louis Armstrong Department for Music Therapy * American Music Therapy Association [https://www.musictherapy.org/] * “Teaching & Singing About Health in South Africa,” [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2009/10/14/hlol-25-teaching-singing-about-health-in-south-africa/] HLOL podcast interview with village health workers. * “Mache Seibel Talks about Using Music and Song,” [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2008/10/06/mache-seibel-healthrock/] HLOL podcast interview with Mache Seibel, MD. Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message, Third Edition [https://healthliteracy.com/health-literacy-from-a-to-z-third-edition-practical-ways-to-communicate-your-health-message/], by Helen Osborne. The chapter “Zest and Pizzazz” is especially relevant to this podcast. Read a transcript of this podcast. [https://healthliteracy.com/2025/03/05/using-music-to-support-patient-care-hlol-257-2/] The post Using Music to Support Patient Care (HLOL #257) [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com/2025/03/01/using-music-to-support-patient-care-hlol-257/] appeared first on Health Literacy Out Loud Podcast [https://www.healthliteracyoutloud.com].