To Prevent the Spread of an Invisible Killer, Global Health Media Project Animation Makes Cholera Visible

WAITSFIELD, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Global Health Media Project has collaborated with award-winning animator Yoni Goodman to produce The Story of Cholera. Developed in response to the devastating cholera epidemic that began in Haiti a year ago, the animation will help affected populations around the world better understand cholera and how to prevent it from spreading. The video is available on the web and free of charge to download to mobile devices including iPhones, Android phones, Apple iPads, other tablets and laptop computers.

“By making the invisible cholera germs visible, this simple animated narrative brings to life the teaching points of cholera prevention.”

“The Story of Cholera helps communities understand how cholera is spread and the basic steps they can take to prevent it,” said Deborah Van Dyke, long-time aid worker with MSF/Doctors Without Borders and founder and director of the Global Health Media Project. “By making the invisible cholera germs visible, this simple animated narrative brings to life the teaching points of cholera prevention.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports an estimated 3–5 million cholera cases annually, resulting in 100,000–120,000 deaths worldwide. Cholera can kill quickly and, if not contained, will spread like wildfire. Yet, it is preventable and readily treatable.

Public education is an effective means to help contain epidemics. But at-risk populations are often poorly informed as to how cholera is spread and how to prevent transmission. The Story of Cholera is an engaging, educational animation in which a young boy helps a health worker save his father and then guides his village in preventing cholera from spreading.

Van Dyke said the Global Health Media Project will publicize and distribute the video through several global networks of health professionals and organizations to enable The Story of Cholera to be widely viewed in Haiti, where the disease continues to be a threat, and in other affected regions of the world. The narration will be available in several languages, starting with English and Haitian Creole.

About the Global Health Media Project

Global Health Media Project produces videos to help bridge the health knowledge gap in low-resource settings by “bringing to life” critical health information for providers and populations. The web-based health videos are free and broadly disseminated, relying on the Internet and smartphones to reach across vast distances at low cost. Global Health Media Project’s current project is a series of newborn care clinical videos demonstrating best practices for health workers to improve newborn survival.

About Yoni Goodman

Yoni Goodman is an Israeli animator, renowned for his work as director of animation for the acclaimed film Waltz with Bashir. He animates short films, clips, and commercials, mainly for human rights organizations, and is currently working as director of animation for the upcoming feature The Futurological Congress. Yoni is also known for his “dailymations,” quick sketchy animations that never fail to delight.