oinfographics: visualising health messages about weight management
TRANSCRIPT
Infographics and health: visualising health messages about weight management
Steven Carter, Public Health, Hartlepool Borough Council
Louisa Ells, Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University
Workshop objectives
• To highlight the key learning points from the development and evaluation of an obesity services infographic in Hartlepool
• To consider how infographics can be used to convey key health information to specific audiences
• To begin thinking about how infographics can be used within your own practice
Background• The percentage of adults in Hartlepool with excess weight in 2015 was 73.3%,
which is above the national average of 64.8%.
• The percentage of reception age children with excess weight in 2015 was 25.3% rising to 41.6% in year 6.
• Tackling the high prevalence of child and adult obesity in Hartlepool is therefore a public health priority, addressed through the development of a new Hartlepool Healthy Weight Strategy in September 2015.
• One of the barriers to successful weight management in both adults and children is ensuring active engagement with, and referrals to, provided services. NICE PH53 recommends that ‘localities aim to improve programme uptake and adherence, which involves clear communication of what services offer and linking up supporting initiatives.’
Infographic design• The poster was developed by the Health Improvement
Team in Hartlepool and designed by a local graphic and web designer, Stuart Hodgson http://www.stuart-designer.co.uk/
• The aim of the poster was to: 1. Increase the awareness of the weight management services amongst GPs, health professionals and the wider community2. Improve GP and health professional referrals into available services3. Improve uptake of the NHS Healthy Heart Check
Consultation• The poster content was developed in partnership with
members of the local Healthy Weight Healthy Lives Steering Group.
• Key information and statistics were agreed by key partners and developed into an infographic by the designer.
• A final draft was presented to a Practice Nurse CPD event for further consultation and feedback.
• Feedback surveys were completed by 28 nurses in attendance and used to fine tune the design and content of the infographic before wider circulation.
First design draft, November 2015
Final version
Promotion and circulation• The infographic was published in the Council’s
‘Hartbeat’ community magazine, which was distributed to approximately 42,000 homes across the Borough.
• In addition, A3 and A4-size posters were distributed and displayed in key public buildings.
• The document was also uploaded to the Council’s community website to measure online ‘hits’: http://www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk/
Data collectionPublic consultation:• A bespoke questionnaire to gauge public awareness and perceptions of the
poster.• Sent to residents registered with the Hartlepool Online Panel and also
promoted through the HBC website and partner workplaces.
Staff consultation:• A bespoke questionnaire to ascertain staff awareness and perceptions of
the poster, and whether seeing the poster had prompted any client referrals.• Sent to all GPs, practice managers, pharmacies, and staff within public
health, libraries, leisure facilities and children’s centres.
• RESULTS IN HANDOUT
Key findings (1)Survey response rates were low!•Respondents were generally very positive about the poster. No-one said the poster was ‘boring’ or ‘not very useful’•Respondents overall thought the poster was eye catching, with the ‘right size text’. “I really like the simple format and would like to see more information presented this way”•Lack of consistency when asked about the amount of information: some respondents stating that there was too much information whilst others thought it had the right amount.
Key findings (2)• Respondents also stated that they liked “short
sharp messages on access to fitness and weight management [services] in the area”.
• However some felt there was already to much health information available and others raised issues around readability and health literacy
• Respondents used social media for health info but did not see the infographic on social media.
Practical session 1We’ve provided some examples of different infographics – spend 10 minutes discussing in your group:
• What do you like about them?• What don’t like about them?• What are they trying to tell you?• Is it easy to understand?• Who might the target audience be?
Infographic 1:
What do you like about this?
What don’t you like about this?
What is the key message?
Who is the target audience?
Is it easy to understand?
Infographic 2:
What do you like about this?
What don’t you like about this?
What is the key message?
Who is the target audience?
Is it easy to understand?
Infographic 3:
What do you like about this?
What don’t you like about this?
What is the key message?
Who is the target audience?
Is it easy to understand?
Infographic 4:
What do you like about this?
What don’t you like about this?
What is the key message?
Who is the target audience?
Is it easy to understand?
Practical session 2Now plan YOUR infographic! Points to consider:•What info/data do you want to translate?
•What are your key messages?
•What do you want the infographic to achieve/convey?
•Who is your target audience? Consider their literacy, age, sex, ethnicity, culture, etc.•What images and style may be appropriate for the topic?•How/where will you disseminate your infographic?
•Who will design it?
•Do you have funds available?
Key take home messages:• Know the key facts you want to present: keep it simple,
brief and CLEAR
• Know the purpose of your infographic
• Know your target audience • Think carefully about dissemination• Use graphics and language to meet the topic area and
target audience
• Keep graphics clear and simple - allow plenty of space between text and images
• Know how the infographic will be used: report/web/poster…
• Make use of today's networks!
Thank you for attending!
Any final thoughts/questions?
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