Telling Tales

In Latin America they're called fotonovelas, popular comics illustrated with photographs rather than drawings that carry a dramatic soap opera plot line.  But this medium is also an effective way to communicate health messages to Latinos in the United States, as Concilio Latino De Salud has discovered.

In one fotonovela titled La Salud Vale ORO, a family is portrayed as organizing the 50th anniversary celebration of a mother and diabetic father.  The family ingeniously concocts ways to make the celebration menu fit dietary guidelines for diabetics - right down to the cake.  Imbedded in this storyline is health information, including the toll-free number for the National Diabetes Education Program, which readers can call for a free recipe booklet and CD with salsa music, for a fun way to exercise.  With an intriguing plot line and portrayals of everyday people, fotonovelas provide an entertaining way to learn about health.