JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

With all 50 states in the U.S. reporting cases of COVID-19, people around the country are adapting and stepping up to the challenge, but they are also scared, anxious and confused about what they can do to avoid exposure to the pandemic. Usual habits have been interrupted as a result of the crisis, and consumers are open to suggestions and strategies to help them change longstanding attitudes and behaviors. In response, a novel and innovative mobile communication capability was developed to present health messages in English and Spanish with links to fotonovelas (or visual stories) that are accessible, easy to understand across literacy levels, and compelling to a diverse audience. While text message outreach has been used to build health literacy and provide social support, few studies have explored the benefits of text messaging combined with visual stories to influence health behaviors and build knowledge and self-efficacy. In particular, this approach could be used to provide vital information, resources, empathy and support to the most vulnerable populations. This also allows providers and health plans to quickly outreach to their patients and members without any additional resource demands at a time when the healthcare system is severely overburdened.