Sam Mendez, PhD
@samuelanimates.bsky.social
Research: health literacy, media, and tech
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Portfolio: https://samuelanimates.com/
Public Health 🛟 feed: https://bsky.app/profile/samuelanimates.bsky.social/feed/aaaarylo7rb2e
Public Health starter pack: https://go.bsky.app/EgMQxe9
💛🤍💜🖤
Portfolio: https://samuelanimates.com/
Public Health 🛟 feed: https://bsky.app/profile/samuelanimates.bsky.social/feed/aaaarylo7rb2e
Public Health starter pack: https://go.bsky.app/EgMQxe9
Our recommendation: Use word length, syllable counts, etc. instead of readability formulas. They still work as goalposts for streamlined writing.
Redo your analysis with different preprocessing decisions.
Test your content with your actual audience. Numbers alone won't tell you if it works.
Redo your analysis with different preprocessing decisions.
Test your content with your actual audience. Numbers alone won't tell you if it works.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Our recommendation: Use word length, syllable counts, etc. instead of readability formulas. They still work as goalposts for streamlined writing.
Redo your analysis with different preprocessing decisions.
Test your content with your actual audience. Numbers alone won't tell you if it works.
Redo your analysis with different preprocessing decisions.
Test your content with your actual audience. Numbers alone won't tell you if it works.
Results: every preprocessing choice gave significantly different median estimates. Linear regression showed baseline estimates weren’t able to predict this variation.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Results: every preprocessing choice gave significantly different median estimates. Linear regression showed baseline estimates weren’t able to predict this variation.
Methods: We manually counted words, sentences, and syllables in 100 tweets from state health agencies (2012-2022). Then we calculated SMOG and Flesch-Kincaid reading grade levels 8 different ways - sometimes counting URLs, hashtags, and numbers, sometimes not. Then we compared the results.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Methods: We manually counted words, sentences, and syllables in 100 tweets from state health agencies (2012-2022). Then we calculated SMOG and Flesch-Kincaid reading grade levels 8 different ways - sometimes counting URLs, hashtags, and numbers, sometimes not. Then we compared the results.
Goal: to show people in public health how much text preprocessing matters, even if you are using readability formulas by hand. Do you count hashtags as words? URLs? If so, how? These are text preprocessing decisions that change word counts and syllable counts that readability formulas rely on.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Goal: to show people in public health how much text preprocessing matters, even if you are using readability formulas by hand. Do you count hashtags as words? URLs? If so, how? These are text preprocessing decisions that change word counts and syllable counts that readability formulas rely on.
Problem: Readability formulas promise simple scores to tell us if our writing is clear enough. But using them requires lots of choices that cause results to vary. In NLP, this is called text "preprocessing". In public health, this is ignored in favor of a focus on "errors" in computer calculations.
November 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Problem: Readability formulas promise simple scores to tell us if our writing is clear enough. But using them requires lots of choices that cause results to vary. In NLP, this is called text "preprocessing". In public health, this is ignored in favor of a focus on "errors" in computer calculations.
This aligns with my usual refrain: generative AI tools might address 1 problem while causing others. This ripple effect is not part of the conversation with these tools already incorporated into electronic health records, emerging tech tools for sci comm, and in smaller public health departments
November 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
This aligns with my usual refrain: generative AI tools might address 1 problem while causing others. This ripple effect is not part of the conversation with these tools already incorporated into electronic health records, emerging tech tools for sci comm, and in smaller public health departments
In short: If you use these tools to generate drafts, you'll have to go back and edit for readability, accuracy, and actionability. If you use these tools to edit for readability, you'll still have to edit for accuracy and actionability.
November 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
In short: If you use these tools to generate drafts, you'll have to go back and edit for readability, accuracy, and actionability. If you use these tools to edit for readability, you'll still have to edit for accuracy and actionability.
Ooo thanks! That looks super helpful
November 3, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Ooo thanks! That looks super helpful
Do you have any orgs/resources on getting started with media training?
November 3, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Do you have any orgs/resources on getting started with media training?
Excellent point, thanks! Media training is not my expertise, but related to this point is a digital safety toolkit I created. Helpful to do some of this prep work before really trying to grab the mic
hsph.harvard.edu/research/hea...
hsph.harvard.edu/research/hea...
Digital Safety Kit for Public Health | Resources | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Prepared by Samuel Mendez
hsph.harvard.edu
November 2, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Excellent point, thanks! Media training is not my expertise, but related to this point is a digital safety toolkit I created. Helpful to do some of this prep work before really trying to grab the mic
hsph.harvard.edu/research/hea...
hsph.harvard.edu/research/hea...
Traditional media like a local newspaper are some solid options. But it's also clear we need to expand beyond that. For example, if the key issue impacts children, identify newsletters from parent teacher organizations who could feature your story.
October 31, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Traditional media like a local newspaper are some solid options. But it's also clear we need to expand beyond that. For example, if the key issue impacts children, identify newsletters from parent teacher organizations who could feature your story.
6.) Share with the community. Identify media outlets or partners who can help get out your message. This could include posting on your own channels like a blog, newsletter, or social media
accounts. Developing a communications plan to outline the right channels and partners to amplify the story.
accounts. Developing a communications plan to outline the right channels and partners to amplify the story.
October 31, 2025 at 4:28 PM
6.) Share with the community. Identify media outlets or partners who can help get out your message. This could include posting on your own channels like a blog, newsletter, or social media
accounts. Developing a communications plan to outline the right channels and partners to amplify the story.
accounts. Developing a communications plan to outline the right channels and partners to amplify the story.
Sidenote: I used Op-Ed Project resources to write and pitch and publish pieces in the past. I recommend their approach: www.theopedproject.org/resources
Op-Ed Writing: The Basics — The OpEd Project
www.theopedproject.org
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Sidenote: I used Op-Ed Project resources to write and pitch and publish pieces in the past. I recommend their approach: www.theopedproject.org/resources
5.) Write your piece. Once you have identified your people
and story, start writing. Consider
starting with the big picture—what is public health and
why does it matter—and then connecting that mission
to your local issues and community
and story, start writing. Consider
starting with the big picture—what is public health and
why does it matter—and then connecting that mission
to your local issues and community
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
5.) Write your piece. Once you have identified your people
and story, start writing. Consider
starting with the big picture—what is public health and
why does it matter—and then connecting that mission
to your local issues and community
and story, start writing. Consider
starting with the big picture—what is public health and
why does it matter—and then connecting that mission
to your local issues and community
4.) Plan for action. Start drafting your outline with your
end goal in mind. What do you want people to do when
they read this story? For example, do we want them to
prepare for service cuts, advocate for change, or share
information with others in the community
end goal in mind. What do you want people to do when
they read this story? For example, do we want them to
prepare for service cuts, advocate for change, or share
information with others in the community
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
4.) Plan for action. Start drafting your outline with your
end goal in mind. What do you want people to do when
they read this story? For example, do we want them to
prepare for service cuts, advocate for change, or share
information with others in the community
end goal in mind. What do you want people to do when
they read this story? For example, do we want them to
prepare for service cuts, advocate for change, or share
information with others in the community
3.) Humanize your list. Who are the
people impacted by these changes—both within your
organization and within your community? Identify people who you’d like to speak with and feature in a human interest story or co-author an op-ed.
people impacted by these changes—both within your
organization and within your community? Identify people who you’d like to speak with and feature in a human interest story or co-author an op-ed.
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
3.) Humanize your list. Who are the
people impacted by these changes—both within your
organization and within your community? Identify people who you’d like to speak with and feature in a human interest story or co-author an op-ed.
people impacted by these changes—both within your
organization and within your community? Identify people who you’d like to speak with and feature in a human interest story or co-author an op-ed.
2.) Map the impact across your
community. Where do these changes shift
health services or resources in your community?
There might be immediate changes that you can easily
quantify and longer-term consequences that require
approximation. When possible, use data to support
your impact narrative.
community. Where do these changes shift
health services or resources in your community?
There might be immediate changes that you can easily
quantify and longer-term consequences that require
approximation. When possible, use data to support
your impact narrative.
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
2.) Map the impact across your
community. Where do these changes shift
health services or resources in your community?
There might be immediate changes that you can easily
quantify and longer-term consequences that require
approximation. When possible, use data to support
your impact narrative.
community. Where do these changes shift
health services or resources in your community?
There might be immediate changes that you can easily
quantify and longer-term consequences that require
approximation. When possible, use data to support
your impact narrative.
1.) Outline the changes. Since the start of the year, what
changes has your agency or organization experienced?
Consider budget, staff, and programs. When
brainstorming this list, be sure to include perspectives
from across the team.
changes has your agency or organization experienced?
Consider budget, staff, and programs. When
brainstorming this list, be sure to include perspectives
from across the team.
October 31, 2025 at 4:26 PM
1.) Outline the changes. Since the start of the year, what
changes has your agency or organization experienced?
Consider budget, staff, and programs. When
brainstorming this list, be sure to include perspectives
from across the team.
changes has your agency or organization experienced?
Consider budget, staff, and programs. When
brainstorming this list, be sure to include perspectives
from across the team.