Is It Time We Developed an Internationally Agreed Set of Health-Related Infographic Images?

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Is It Time We Developed an Internationally Agreed Set of Health-Related Infographic Images?

Did you know that 65% of people identify as visual learners? That’s a stat from The Visual Teaching Alliance—and it matters because when it comes to health information, confusing or inconsistent graphics can turn even simple advice into a puzzle. For patients trying to understand diabetes management, parents learning about childhood vaccines, or communities navigating public health crises, clear, relatable infographics are more than just “nice to have”—they’re essential. But here’s the problem: there’s no globally agreed set of health-related infographic images. Could that be holding us back from communicating life-saving information effectively?

That’s the question R.L. Atenstaedt, a public health professional at Public Health Wales (Abergele Hospital), raises in a 2019 correspondence published in the Chinese Medical Journal. Atenstaedt builds on research from Balkac and Ergun (2018), who defined infographics as “data visualizations that attempt to relay complex information to an audience in a way that can be easily understood” (a framework first outlined by infographic expert Mark Smiciklas in his 2012 book The Power of Infographics). For Balkac and Ergun, the value of infographics is clear: they translate dense health content—like how a disease develops or how to manage chronic conditions—into visuals that boost patient and public understanding.

But creating effective infographics isn’t guesswork. Stones and Gent (2015), in their AHRC-funded 7 G.R.A.P.H.I.C. Principles of Public Health Infographic Design, laid out evidence-based rules for success: know your audience (a teen’s vaccine infographic shouldn’t look like one for seniors), restrict colors to avoid distraction, highlight headings to guide readers, prioritize key information (cut the fluff), use imagery wisely (no irrelevant stock photos), and choose charts that match your data (bar graphs for comparisons, line graphs for trends). They also stress accessibility—like using large, legible fonts for people with visual impairments—and clarity (a heart graphic should be red, not neon pink, to align with common associations).

Here’s where opinions diverge: Balkac and Ergun worried that as more infographics are made, they might “mimic one another” and lose innovation. Atenstaedt sees this potential “homogenization” as a strength. “Instead of making infographics unique,” he argues, “we should develop a set of high-quality, free-to-use infographic images for health educators worldwide—designed with patients and the public, not just for them.” His reasoning is practical: only a standardized, co-created collection can ensure three critical things:

  1. Consistency: A “stop smoking” graphic means the same thing in Nairobi as it does in New York.
  2. Accessibility: Works for people with visual impairments, low health literacy, or non-native languages.
  3. Trust: Communities helped shape the images, so they’re more likely to accept and act on them.

This isn’t about killing creativity—it’s about killing confusion. Imagine a parent in Brazil and a grandparent in Canada both seeing the same clear infographic about handwashing: same symbols, same colors, same key message. No guesswork, no misinterpretation—just the information they need to stay healthy. In a world where health threats (like COVID-19) and information (via social media, global travel) cross borders, our visual tools should too.

So, is it time for an international agreement on health-related infographics? For visual learners, for patients, for public health workers struggling to communicate clearly—it’s hard to argue against it. The research proves infographics work when well-designed. The need is urgent: 65% of us learn better with visuals. The solution? A global, collaborative effort to build something that works for everyone.

References

  1. Balkac M, Ergun E. Role of infographics in healthcare. Chinese Medical Journal. 2018;131(21):2514–2517. https://doi.org/10.4103/0366-6999.243569
  2. Smiciklas M. The Power of Infographics. Que Publishing; 2012.
  3. Stones C, Gent M. The 7 G.R.A.P.H.I.C. Principles of Public Health Infographic Design: AHRC Funded Guidance on Infographic Design in Public Health. University of Leeds; 2015.
  4. Atenstaedt RL. Is it time we developed an internationally agreed set of health-related infographic images? Chinese Medical Journal. 2019;132(24):3024. https://doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000000549

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