You might be surprised to find that there is an entire subdivision of the Graphic Novel genre about topics related to Medicine and Health. This branch of Graphic Novel writing is known as Graphic Medicine and it's.so.good, y'all. 

Years ago, I happened upon two graphic novels with beautiful cover art at my local public library: Hole in the Heart: Bringing Up Beth and Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michaelangelo, and Me. These Graphic Memoirs are not only accessible and artistically beautiful, but their content challenged, educated, and engaged me.  These interactive, heartfelt stories connected me with real people and their stories. The former explores the nuances of raising a child with complex, special medical needs. The latter is an exploration of living with bipolar disorder and mental illness. 

In addition to personal depictions of human suffering and struggle in and around the healthcare system, Graphic Medicine also grapples with the social, cultural, and political, and human rights issues that pertain to topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Reproductive Freedom, Gender & Sexuality, Climate Change, and Anti-Racism, to name a few.

This month, please check out a Graphic Medicine title! There are many places you might read a graphic novel: in "graphic" sections of health journals (JAMA, for example), your local public library (talk to staff about free ebooks on your device), or online. One of the best reasons to read Graphic Medicine is to foster connectivity and empathy for patients and caregivers; but Graphic Medicine can also be used as an educational/teaching tool or to foster self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, and so much more.

Here are a few resources just to get started:

What about you? What are your favorite graphic medicine novels? We would love your recommendations!