What’s the best way to communicate health issues?
Improving FDA’s health communications
Challenge
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to translate cutting-edge science and regulatory concepts into language that the general public can understand and use to make informed choices about their health.
Solution
Westat has conducted well over 700 interviews with audiences to test over 40 FDA communication materials.
We employ a variety of interview techniques to evaluate products ranging from websites and social media posts to informational brochures and prescription guides. We partner with a wide variety of panel providers to successfully fulfill recruitment goals that often focus on respondents with a range of backgrounds.
Our innovative project structure ensures each message test—from initial request to final report approval—is completed within 8-10 weeks.
Results
FDA uses Westat’s recommendations based on the interview data to improve the communication materials. FDA is particularly interested in whether participants learn something new from the materials or would act on the calls to action.
Senior Expert Contact
Bethany Tennant
Principal Research Associate
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Perspective
Westat Experts Present at AAPOR 2025May 2025
Westat’s public opinion and survey methodology experts are heading to the 80th Annual American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) Conference, in St. Louis, MO,…
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Expert Interview
Why Are People Reluctant to Share Health App Data?May 2025
In an age where smart watches track our heart rate, apps detect our sleep patterns, and digital platforms monitor the calories we burn, the potential…
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Expert Interview
Fine-Tuning LLMs to Improve Adverse Drug Event Detection and ReportingApril 2025
The expedient, accurate detection of the severity of adverse drug events (ADEs) remains a serious challenge. Despite technological advancements, data-driven models often fail to precisely…
