Health Literacy Project
BACKGROUND
Cystic Fibrosis is a life shortening genetic disease that
affects approximately 30,000 Americans and many more worldwide. If not recognized and diagnosed early in
life, children with cystic fibrosis can suffer from malnourishment and
recurrent lung infections that irreversibly damage their lungs. Many with cystic fibrosis often die from
their lung disease.
In the US, many states have recognized the benefit of early
diagnosis and are moving to adopt newborn screening to identify infants with
cystic fibrosis so preventative therapies can be initiated to avoid the long
term consequences of late diagnosis.
Newborn screening will allow identification of cystic fibrosis in not
only Caucasians, but also Hispanics, African American, and Asian. As the size
and diversity of the cystic fibrosis population grows, there will be a need to
improve both the health literacy of children and families of children with
cystic fibrosis.
Low “health
literacy” or the ability to read, understand and effectively use basic medical
instructions and information is an emerging public health issue. Low health literacy costs our health system
as much as $58 billion a year (Source: Partnership for Clear Health
Communication). Although low health
literacy can affect everyone regardless of background or educational level,
studies show that limited literacy skills are a stronger predictor of an
individual's health status than age, income, employment status, education
level, and racial or ethnic group.
In our current healthcare environment, developing accessible,
entertaining, engaging, and educational material about cystic fibrosis for both
children and adults are of primary importance.
PURPOSE
I hope to achieve
several objectives through Magic Paint Brush:
1.
Artistically, I want to continue my commitment to bringing to art the life of
medicine. I find that the synthesis of
visual art with storytelling to be a powerful communication tool that is accessible
by readers of all ages, educational levels, and cultures.
Conceptually,
the “magic paint brush” is a tool used to enter into the perspective of the
child or person. If this endeavor is
successful, I hope to publish stories created from the patient’s unique
perspective (i.e. “Little Macy and the Magic Paint Brush, Manuel and the Magic
Paint Brush, Tamika and the Magic Paint Brush, etc…).
2. Medically, Magic Paint Brush will address
issues faced by many of those
affected by CF.
3. Socially, Magic Paint Brush will raise public awareness of
cystic fibrosis. With greater
understanding and better public health policy, children with CF will continue
to live, not only longer, but better lives.
3. Personally, I want to help children affected with cystic
fibrosis to see themselves as heroes, not only to their families, but to their
caregivers and other children all over the world. More than that, I want this to be a
beginning…. Of a story that will end with a cure.
Sample pages



If you would like to see more, go to:
www.MagicPaintBrush.ARTinMEDICINE.com

ARTinMEDICINE: Art from Caregivers Around the World
Johnny and the
Magic Paint Brush
Contact me at: