Using inclusive, non-stigmatizing language to better communicate about health equity

In defining health equity, rural communities may consider examining the language they use to describe populations that experience inequities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer Resources & Style Guides for Framing Health Equity & Avoiding Stigmatizing Language that provide important considerations for communicating with a health equity lens. The guiding principle of using inclusive, non-stigmatizing language is centering the person, instead of their condition or circumstances. Using plain language can also help make communications accessible to multiple audiences. The Rural Health Literacy Toolkit provides additional information about plain language. (author abstract)