Info Viz for Health

Reducing health disparities and improving health among Latino populations depends on medical providers’ and other health educators’ ability to provide the information patients need to manage their health concerns in an understandable way. Infographics are visually appealing images that contain relevant health information presented in culturally relevant ways. They can, therefore, be used to assist and enhance health-related communication, especially in situations where the educator and learner are from different cultures or speak different languages. The Info Viz for Health mobile application (app) includes infographics to facilitate health communication, so they are easily accessible by individuals offering health education anywhere.

The infographics in the app were designed among heterogenous Latino populations the United States and abroad through several NIH-funded studies. They are meant for serve as communication aids that health care providers can use to provide important health information to patients. This communication could happen during clinic visits, counseling or adherence sessions, or group education settings, among others. Currently, infographics are only available to assist Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-related communication. In the future, we will expand the infographic database of the app to include infographics related to the prevention and management of other sexually transmitted infections, as well as chronic conditions commonly associated with HIV, for example hypertension and diabetes.

The Info Viz for Health app is bilingual (English/Spanish) and can be used on any mobile device. After downloading the app, the user can select to have the app appear in English or Spanish. Then, individuals providing health education can use the app by opening the infographics individually, or they can select a sequence of infographics that they can go through to support their conversation. Once an infographic is open, it is possible to zoom in and out of the image and mark-up images using a finger or stylus. Information buttons are available throughout the app to provide guidance on the main point and key takeaways from each infographic. Additionally, regardless of the language the app appears in, there is an option to change the language of each infographic while being viewed.

Although many strategies to improve health education exist, this app is unique in that it was designed and tested in close collaboration with different Latino populations, thereby ensuring cultural relevance of the infographics for Latinos globally. Info Viz for Health is also unique because many other strategies to improve the way information is offered to patients may be difficult to access or involve time and cost restraints. That the Info Viz for Health intervention is readily available for use on any mobile device within clinic visits or other health education sessions ensures it can be used by more health educators without the additional cost and time requirements.