A Scoping Review of Graphic Medicine Interventions to Promote Changes in Health Behavior, Health Service Engagement, and Health Outcomes

Sarah Febres-Cordero (), Athena D. F. Sherman, Biyeshi Kumsa, Meredith Klepper, Fawas Shanun, Sophie Grant, Brenice Duroseau, Sharon L. Leslie, Pranav Gupta, Abigail Béliveau, Patti Landerfelt, Sydney Cohen, Carissa Lawrence, Whitney Linsenmeyer, Molly Szczech, Monique S. Balthazar and Don Operario
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Sarah Febres-Cordero: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Athena D. F. Sherman: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Biyeshi Kumsa: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Meredith Klepper: School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Fawas Shanun: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Sophie Grant: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Brenice Duroseau: School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Sharon L. Leslie: Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Pranav Gupta: School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Abigail Béliveau: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Patti Landerfelt: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Sydney Cohen: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Carissa Lawrence: School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Whitney Linsenmeyer: Nutrition and Dietetics, Saint. Louis University, Saint. Louis, MO 63103, USA
Molly Szczech: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
Monique S. Balthazar: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Don Operario: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 5, 1-42

Abstract: Low health literacy is a known contributing factor to poorer patient outcomes. Health information is often presented through materials written at high reading levels and thus may be an ineffective education tool for patients of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, age ranges, and education levels. Graphic medicine (i.e., healthcare concepts presented through illustrations, such as comics or cartoons) may be a more equitable and efficacious format for many patients. The purpose of this review was to describe the efficacy and use of graphic medicine interventions regarding health outcomes, behavior changes, and engagement with health services. Nine databases were searched for studies that were randomized controlled trials in the English language, published before 4 December 2023. The searches identified 34 research articles that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. This review revealed four key takeaways: (1) graphic medicine interventions are used globally; (2) graphic medicine interventions may be efficacious for a wide variety of health topics; (3) graphic medicine can be equitably delivered in many formats; and (4) graphic medicine can be applied broadly across the lifespan. The findings suggest that graphic medicine enhances patient engagement, empowers individuals with knowledge, and ultimately contributes to improved health outcomes across various populations; however, more effectiveness trials are needed. Additionally, an expanded definition of graphic medicine is presented.

Keywords: graphic medicine; art; comics; intervention design; intervention mediums; health literacy; equity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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