2021-22 Fluency Report: Health Literacy

April 26, 2022

At the tail end of a pandemic when many people are still struggling to recover, a new study on health communications indicates the role of health companies and public institutions, continuing to give way to the voices of influencers. We see this as a continuation of a trend where expertise in using social media is more important than subject matter expertise, in terms of influencing public perceptions and attitudes on various health topics.

The signature study—The 2021-22 Fluency Report: Health Literacy—released today by the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, was produced by the Newhouse School’s Real Chemistry Emerging Insights Lab (EIL). The study outlines major changes in discussion trends in the health communications space, as well as generational differences in those trends. The study concludes with links to four additional, in-depth reports on traditionally underserved demographics. Taken together, the studies will be of value to organizations and companies trying to engage with audiences in the healthcare and public health sectors.