Perspectives of Information Design in the use of simple language in women’s health articles on Wikipedia

Abstract

Information Design is essential for enhancing the accessibility and comprehension of complex health information, particularly in women’s health, where specialized terminology and sensitive content require strategies that make knowledge understandable and actionable. In this context, widely consulted platforms such as Wikipedia illustrate both the challenges of effectively communicating health knowledge and the potential of applying design and language simplification strategies, as exemplified by its Simple English version, which reduces cognitive barriers and facilitates broader access to essential information. Building on this perspective, the present study examines how Information Design resources are structured and adapted in English and Simple English Wikipedia articles on women’s health, aiming to evaluate whether language simplification and design strategies preserve informational integrity while enhancing accessibility. Following this framework, a purposive sample of 12 articles was analyzed comparatively to examine women’s health content in both the standard English Wikipedia and its Simple English counterpart. The analysis highlights the central role of visual and structural elements in supporting comprehension, showing that illustrations and well-organized summaries can compensate for reductions in textual complexity. Overall, the study demonstrates that the integration of Information Design and language simplification in digital health resources improves the clarity and usability of women’s health information, emphasizing the importance of accessible knowledge for supporting informed health practices.