Healthcare communication has a storytelling problem. We hand patients dense brochures filled with medical terminology and expect them to navigate complex treatment plans. But what if we could help people understand their health the same way we learned as children, through stories?
Visual storytelling makes medical information easier to understand, and easier to act on.
Why stories work where facts fail
Facts tell us what to do. Stories show us how it looks in real life. Lists of symptoms or instructions can be correct and still forgettable. A story gives context—who, when, where—and that context makes the lesson stick.
When we meet a character juggling work, family, and a health condition, we do more than read the steps; we recognize the situation. That recognition helps people remember and follow through. “Use an inhaler before exercise” is easy to skim past. “Jamal keeps his inhaler in his gym bag before soccer practice” is easier to picture, and easier to recall.
Stories also lower the barrier to action. They model choices, show small wins, and make next steps feel doable. That’s why narrative formats often land where fact sheets don’t.
Comic strips as health educators
Comics seem an unlikely tool for health communication, but they're incredibly effective. The combination of visual and textual information, sequential storytelling, and relatable characters creates multiple pathways to understanding.
The World Health Organization has used comic-style graphics to explain everything from disease prevention to vaccination benefits. Their COVID-19 materials featured simple illustrated characters demonstrating protective behaviors in easy-to-follow sequences.
For chronic disease management, comics excel at showing the daily reality of living with conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or mental health challenges. Instead of abstract medical advice, patients see characters making real decisions: choosing healthy meals, remembering medications, or recognizing warning signs.
Making the complex feel manageable
Visual storytelling transforms overwhelming medical information into manageable steps. Consider how traditional diabetes education typically works: patients receive pamphlets listing symptoms, diet restrictions, medication schedules, and monitoring requirements. It's accurate but intimidating.
Now imagine a comic strip following Maria through her day as she manages type 2 diabetes. Readers see her checking blood sugar levels before breakfast, choosing between different meal options, and problem-solving when her levels run high. The same information becomes a story about someone succeeding with the same challenges they face.
I took a similar approach when collaborating on “What is a medical claim?”. The piece shows how information becomes clearer when people can see themselves in the story.
Building empathy through characters
Visual stories build empathy. Patients can see themselves in the characters, and providers get a clearer view of what patients experience.
A comic about chemotherapy side effects can show both the physical toll and the emotional weight; something plain medical descriptions often miss. It works both ways: patients feel seen, and providers gain a clearer view of the patient experience.
Once that emotional connection is there, stories become practical tools. The same approach that builds empathy can also guide everyday health decisions.
Practical applications across healthcare
You can use visual storytelling in many different ways:
- Taking medications: Instead of listing side effects and instructions, show characters in real situations; what to do if they miss a dose, how to handle side effects, and when to contact a doctor.
- Preventive care: Stories about characters getting regular check-ups, screenings, or vaccinations normalize these behaviors and address common fears or misconceptions.
- Mental health: Comics reduce stigma by showing characters successfully managing depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions through therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes.
- Chronic condition management: Living with arthritis or asthma means adjusting routines over time. Stories can show characters finding ways to stay active, manage flare-ups, and keep going on tough days.
Design principles that make it work
Compelling storytelling follows specific design principles that ensure accessibility and understanding:
- Characters should represent your audience demographically and culturally. People need to see themselves in the story for maximum impact.
- Keep visual elements clear and uncluttered, following the same accessibility principles that make all health materials work better.
- Use simple, conversational language in dialogue and narration. The goal is understanding, not medical precision.
- Structure stories with clear beginnings, middles, and ends that mirror the patient journey from problem recognition to successful management.
Turning stories into action
The most successful healthcare storytelling doesn't just inform, it empowers patients to take action. Stories work because they show possibility. When patients see characters like themselves successfully managing health challenges, they believe they can do the same.
This connects to broader principles about making information work harder for people. Visual storytelling doesn't replace clinical care, but it helps patients understand what they need to do. When information connects emotionally as well as intellectually, people are more likely to follow through.
The bottom line
Visual storytelling shifts healthcare communication from overwhelming to empowering. When patients see characters like themselves succeed, they’re more likely to understand their care and follow through.
