The Need: Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) affects a significant portion of the population, posing a pressing public health concern. Lack of awareness and limited access to understandable information about SCT's reproductive implications contribute to health disparities among affected individuals. In-person SCT education programs in Ohio faced challenges in reaching parents of SCT-affected children, with those having limited health literacy being disproportionately affected. To bridge this information gap, a solution was needed to provide clear, actionable information and promote knowledge retention. Hence, SCTaware was developed using a health literacy-focused evaluation to address this critical need.

The Technology: SCTaware is an innovative virtual program designed to offer comprehensive education on Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) and its reproductive implications. Developed after a meticulous health literacy-focused evaluation, SCTaware utilizes individual videoconference delivery, supported by knowledge objectives, plain language guides, and HL-informed communication strategies. To enhance understandability, actionability, and clarity, SCTaware incorporates new visuals and a narrated post-education version. Additionally, standardized educator training ensures consistent and effective delivery of the program.

Commercial Applications: SCTaware's versatile technology finds application in various public health education contexts, empowering individuals with crucial knowledge and promoting health equity:

• Virtual SCT Education Initiatives: SCTaware serves as a blueprint for developing virtual education programs, enabling wider outreach and accessibility to vital health information.

• Health Literacy Enhancement: The HL-informed communication strategies and plain language guides employed in SCTaware can be adapted to enhance health literacy in other educational initiatives.

• Reproductive Health Education: SCTaware's approach can be extended to provide clear, actionable information on other reproductive health topics, empowering individuals to make informed decisions.

Benefits/Advantages: SCTaware offers numerous advantages that make it an indispensable tool for achieving health equity and improving health outcomes:

• Enhanced Knowledge Retention: SCTaware's use of clear language and engaging visuals significantly improves knowledge retention, ensuring the information is effectively absorbed by participants.

• Accessible and Inclusive: As a virtual program, SCTaware ensures accessibility to a broader audience, including those with limited health literacy, thus bridging the information gap.

• Cost-Effective and Scalable: The virtual format of SCTaware enables cost-effective and scalable implementation, making it adaptable to various public health education programs.

• Post-Pandemic Relevance: With virtual education likely to remain prevalent post-pandemic, SCTaware remains relevant, offering a sustainable and future-proof solution.

• Promoting Health Equity: By equipping individuals with SCT-related knowledge, SCTaware plays a vital role in promoting health equity and addressing disparities in vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, SCTaware represents a game-changing solution in Sickle Cell Trait education, harnessing virtual technology and health literacy-focused strategies to convey clear and actionable information. With broad applications and a host of benefits, SCTaware is poised to revolutionize public health education and contribute to building a healthier and more equitable society.