Building Trust Through Understanding: Health Literacy in Clinical Research

Trusted, inclusive clinical research begins with health literacy—ensuring that communities can understand what research is, how it works, and why it matters.

This webinar explored practical strategies for improving public understanding of clinical research and integrating health-literacy principles into community outreach and engagement efforts. Through real-world examples, we examined how clear communication, culturally responsive engagement, and inclusive research principles translated into day-to-day study operations. Attendees learned how to design outreach that supports participant understanding, addresses common misconceptions, and builds long-term trust with the communities they serve.

Clinical research professionals gained practical approaches to foster greater understanding, support informed decision-making, and advance inclusive research participation.

Upon completion of this continuing education program, participants should be able to:

• Describe the role of health literacy in supporting participant understanding, informed decision-making, and trust in clinical research.
• Identify common communication challenges in clinical research, including those related to informed consent and participant-facing materials.
• Apply practical strategies to improve clarity, participant engagement, and health literacy in day-to-day research interactions.

Speakers:

• Gianna Gemignani, BS, ACRP-CP, Clinical Research Project Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (Department of OB/GYN)
• Catina O’Leary, President & CEO, Health Literacy Media (HLM)
• Maureen Kashuba, Senior Director, Health Literacy, Merck

Approved for 1.0 ACRP Contact Hours