Why shouldn’t I use an acronym for my health care system name on our website or in our communications?
Last updated on September 1, 2021 at 4:00 pm
In general, we try to avoid acronyms unless they are very common and familiar to the general public. This aligns with our plain language content principles to be more human and less jargon heavy.
The Plain Language Act and VA.gov Design System require that we use plain language.
Using an acronym such as “EHS” instead of “Erie health care” on your website or in your communications is not Plain Language and can be confusing for Veterans and other site visitors.
These acronyms can make understanding the content of your site challenging for Veterans and site visitors—especially those with cognitive disabilities—and negatively affect search engine optimization for your site.
VA.gov Design System Content Style Guide - Abbreviations and Acronyms