Unlocking Public Health: King County’s Winning Comic-Book Strategy

When Meredith Li-Vollmer joined King County’s health department nearly 20 years ago, communication was mostly through brochures, flyers, and community presentations. She saw a chance to make health information more exciting. Her idea? Comic books.

At first, her supervisors weren’t on board. They thought she wanted to draw superhero comics. Instead, she envisioned relatable stories showing the importance of public health. “These comics can convey messages through emotion and empathy,” Li-Vollmer said.

Over the last 15 years, she has brought together about 20 local artists to create comics on topics like long-term COVID, gun safety, and disaster preparedness. You can find these comics both in print and online through the county’s health resources.

Li-Vollmer, who isn’t just a team leader but also a comic artist herself, is currently working on a comic celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Seattle/King County Clinic. This free clinic serves the community, and she recently spent time with volunteer Dr. Sathi Maiti there, capturing her essence in sketches for the comic.

Drawing had always been a passion for Li-Vollmer, but she lost confidence in high school due to harsh critiques. Years later, a book called “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud reignited her interest. This book illustrates how comics can simplify complex ideas, a fitting tool for her work on pandemic education back in 2008—before COVID-19 made such discussions urgent.

Her first comic, “No Ordinary Flu,” focused on the 1918 influenza pandemic and marked King County’s entry into this engaging storytelling format. Studies show that visual storytelling can improve understanding and retention of health information, making it an effective educational tool.

Li-Vollmer believes the emotional depth of comics is key to discussing public health issues. Right now, she’s crafting a comic about septic systems, using a fictional family to bring the story to life amid chaos.

Moreover, these comics have become vital for reaching non-English speakers in the community. They’re available in multiple languages, including Arabic, Spanish, Korean, and Ukrainian—showing how visuals can cross language barriers.

Julia Colson, founder of the Seattle/King County Clinic, has noticed that the comics can lead to meaningful interactions. At her presentations, she strategically hands out comics at the end because “if I give it to them before, they get so engrossed that they don’t listen to what I say.”

This blend of art and healthcare communication is helping to make vital information accessible and engaging, making public health a topic that resonates on a personal level.



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