Graphic Public Health: A Comics Anthology and Road Map

Medical professionals need versatile communication tools to address emerging diseases, environmental health threats, and health equity gaps. This book showcases the power of comics to engage people in constructive conversations about health, featuring the work of acclaimed cartoonists and providing guidance for practitioners.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2022
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

As we navigate the complexities of emerging diseases, environmental health threats, and disparities in healthcare, medical professionals require versatile communication tools to empower individuals and foster meaningful conversations about community health. This book sheds light on the remarkable potential of comics to fulfill this need.

Graphic Public Health showcases the diverse applications and immense potential of comics to address a wide range of health-related topics, including immunization promotion, outbreak prevention, gun violence, opioid addiction prevention, and climate change. It features the captivating artwork of acclaimed cartoonists Ellen Forney, David Lasky, and Roberta Gregory, as well as contributions from emerging artists and comics created by Meredith Li-Vollmer, a communications specialist for Seattle's public health department.

Beyond being a mere compilation of cartoons, this book establishes a strong connection between comics and the principles of effective health communication. It delves into why comics uniquely excel in achieving these goals. Each chapter focuses on the practical application of graphic public health in the context of four specific objectives: health literacy, risk communication, health promotion, and advocacy. Li-Vollmer also provides valuable guidance for practitioners interested in creating comics for various forms of public information, particularly in the realm of public health.

Practical and impactful, Graphic Public Health serves as a rallying cry for our contemporary era and an invaluable resource for public health professionals, advocates, scholars of comics and graphic studies, and enthusiasts of the graphic medicine genre. By harnessing the power of comics, we can engage and inform individuals, fostering a deeper understanding of health issues and inspiring positive change in our communities.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 254 x 178 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271093253