Graphic Public Health: Comics about pandemics, health equity, and rats in toilets

Background:

Comics are uniquely suited to meet the growing demands of the health communication landscape. The dynamic visual and textual elements in comics, and their adaptability into digital and print collateral materials, garner attention and can help the information go viral. They can also efficiently pack information in a meeting of text, image, and sequence, creating possibilities for explaining complicated health information and modeling desired health behaviors. But the power of comics is more than the attractive visual appeal or the explanatory power. They are also a narrative medium that can tap into how people experience health issues and how they feel about them. Seemingly academic or technical public health policy issues can become relatable, compelling, and relevant when told as a personal story through comics that evoke empathy.

Program background:

In this session, we will consider what makes this medium effective for framing public health issues and helping people make decisions about their health. Meredith Li-Vollmer will discuss how she’s used comics for risk communication, health literacy, and health promotion for 15 years at the health department in Seattle and King County, Washington. She will illustrate this work by sharing examples of comics about COVID-19, infectious disease, lead poisoning prevention, safe medicine return, and extreme weather. As part of this discussion, she will address how Public Health - Seattle & King County has worked with members of focus communities to co-create comics.

Evaluation Methods and Results:

Comics presented in this session involved formative research with people in target audiences to ensure that the comics conveyed the key messages and were culturally responsive. For example, we tested comics about norovirus and flu prevention using intercept surveys with patients in the waiting room of public health clinics; through this process, we were able to identify comics panels that needed revision for clarity or to better reflect the community depicted.

As another example, the Stay Safe in the Heat comic book was formally evaluated with older adults. One hundred participants did a knowledge, attitude, and perception (KAP) survey at 6 senior services organizations, including 2 organizations serving the Somali and Vietnamese communities. Findings (unpublished) suggested that the comic was effective at increasing heat-related health risk knowledge and commitment to practicing behaviors that reduce health risks from extreme heat. Participants found the comic engaging and expressed appreciation for the comic’s representation of diverse ethnic groups and age groups.

Conclusions:

The distinctive visual, textual, and narrative qualities of comics facilitate understanding of health concepts. Comics are also highly adaptive, engaging, and accessible, offering possibilities for effective health promotion campaigns that can help people make informed choices about their health. With their storytelling power, comics can connect big picture issues with intimate human stories.

Implications for research and/or practice:

Comics have promise as a tool for health communicators to expand meaningful conversations about public health, making health communication more approachable and connected to how people feel. Comics can also contribute to health equity by creating culturally responsive communications that reflect the lived experiences of under-reached communities.