Most health content fails for the same reason: it is written for the author's peers, not for the person who searched at midnight because a result confused them. Good health writing is not "dumbed down". It is clear, calm and useful.
Here is the checklist I use, shaped by years of explaining laboratory results to people who were not in the lab.
The 9-point checklist
- Start with the reader's question. Write the question as your headline or opening line, then answer it.
- Put the answer first. Do not make people wade through background to reach what they came for.
- Keep sentences short. Aim for around 15 to 20 words, one idea at a time.
- Use everyday words. If a technical term is necessary, explain it once, right where it appears.
- Give numbers meaning. A number alone frightens or confuses. Say what it measures and what a normal range does and does not tell you.
- Say what to do next. A good article ends with an action: monitor, ask your clinician, or seek care now.
- Stay calm. Be honest about risk without alarm. Fear makes people stop reading, or stop listening.
- Make it scannable. Clear headings, short paragraphs and lists help tired, worried readers.
- Check, cite and date it. Have a qualified person review facts, point to reliable sources, and update the page when guidance changes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Burying the answer under a long introduction.
- Scary headlines that promise a cure or predict disaster.
- Unexplained abbreviations and lab or clinical shorthand.
- Leaving out when to seek care or contact a clinician.
- Letting pages go out of date after guidance changes.
A before-and-after example
Before: "Your ALT is elevated, suggesting possible hepatocellular injury."
After: "ALT is an enzyme found mainly in the liver. A higher-than-usual level can mean the liver is under some stress, but many everyday things can cause a temporary rise. Your clinician will look at this result alongside your history and may repeat the test."
The second version is longer, but it answers the three questions every reader has: what is it, should I worry, and what happens now.
Test it on a real person
Read your draft aloud. Then ask someone outside the field to explain it back to you in their own words. Wherever they stumble, rewrite. That one habit improves clarity more than any style guide.
This article is for general education and is not medical advice.
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