Covid Health Animation Project
A research-based approach to fight disinformation, increase knowledge and change behaviors around COVID 19 in underserved communities through culturally-tailored animated content.
Why are we doing this
On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General declared COVID-19 a global pandemic—the most serious respiratory virus threat since the 1918 influenza outbreak. Emerging evidence shows a disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on low-income and racial(ized) and ethnic minority communities.
Age adjusted rate of fatal lab confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 by race/ethnicity group in NYC
as of April 6, 2020
Age-Adjusted Death Rate
Data complete* for 63% of deaths
It is hypothesized that this is secondary to various factors from inadequate health care coverage to insufficient public health education targeting the disenfranchised populations. Further exacerbating this information gap is distrust of the US government that continues to grow because of policies such as in the setting of immigration policies. To curb the transmission of COVID-19, educating every community about the virus and social distancing measures is critical. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the best approach to making clinical and public health information about COVID-19 accessible to underserved populations.
Our Programs
We are in the process of creating animations across various cultural contexts directed at the most vulnerable/marginalized populations
Our Impact
The videos have been reached over 1.5 million people.
Total Comments
349
Total likes
11,526
Total Shares
6,700
Total Views
587,569
Our Team
Dr Gilberto Lopez
Dr Megan Srinivas
Health researcher
Infectious disease physician
ScD, Harvard University
MPH, Johns Hopkins University
MA, Southern Methodist University
MPH, Harvard School of Public Health
MD, University of Iowa
BA, Harvard University
Syed Mustafa Hasnain
Yahya Ehsan
Behavior change communications expert
Creative Director
Msc, London School of Economics
Bsc Honors, Oxford Brookes University
MMA, Multimedia Arts, NCA
Bsc. Computer Science, Beaconhouse Informatics
Dr. Lopez is a broadly trained social scientist with experience in mixed-methods of research. His research focuses on the political economy and social determinants of health in relation to migration, and its association with socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and health. Dr. Lopez’ ultimate goal is to produce data that will guide the development and implementation of interventions to reduce Inequities.
Dr. Megan Srinivas is an infectious disease physician and research fellow at the University of North Carolina who resides and practices in rural Iowa. Her research focuses on healthcare deserts and using social innovation to address health disparities. She’s currently leading a study analyzing how political change impacts access to reproductive health care for marginalized populations in rural America. Megan currently works with Project Echo to provide hepatitis C care via telehealth in the rural US. She is a national delegate to the American Medical Association and on the Infectious Disease Society of America Public Health Advisory Committee.
Mustafa, an Atlantic fellow, is the Managing Director of Creative Frontiers, and President of its subsidiary CFx Comics. He has created the acclaimed Paasban – the guardian comic series and has also worked on the Haider comic series and the Khiladi comic series. Mustafa was also the creator of Pakistan’s first 3D TV animated series Mein aur Mere Dost. He regularly consults for The World Bank, Stanford University, Creative Associates International, DAI, Last Mile Health and others on conflict communication and equity issues
Yahya is Creative Director at Creative Frontiers and its Subsidiary CFx Comics, Yahya has been the Art Director behind comic series Paasban – the Guardian, Haider, Khiladi (recently developed as a motion comic) and was also associated as Creative Director of Pakistan’s first 3D TV animated series ‘Mein aur Mere Dost’.
