Everyone has dreamed of being an invincible hero, and AS patients are also no exception; that is, they supposedly have the courage to face the disease, actively seek treatment and control their health condition. Accordingly, they can be the hero to save themselves! According to the study, 93% readers of Marvel comics are male; more than 64% readers are aged 18-34. Besides, 6 of top 10 movies in Taiwan are Marvel cinematic.

We designed heroic characters for AS patients based on their own super hero dreams. Through this idea, the patients will learn about the importance of sustained treatment. It is suggested that the positive image of the super hero can bring the hope to AS patients! Thus, we not only introduced Taiwan’s first health-education comic strip for AS patients but also developed innovative health education activities that stimulate participation and enjoyment!

Riding on the current trend in super hero comic in Taiwan, we integrated health education such as the outcomes of non-treatment, doubts and information, with super hero-like story scenarios, attracting the attention of AS patients and stimulate them to inquire directly.

Using videos as the main format for media distribution, we transformed comic books into animated episodes, reaching both on-line and off-line users.

Drawing from the content of the comic strip, we combined the information with the popular escape-type games, allowing patients to transform into super hero alter ego and complete the mission, breaking their preconceptions of health education and increase their willingness to participate. Treatment information is integrated into the room escape puzzles, so that patients can learn through playing the game, and change their attitudes toward disease by becoming more familiar with the messages. Doctors also assisted to explain the AS-related information during the game.

Tremendous success with the health education comic strips: 1,500 issues were distributed in departments of rheumatology around Taiwan, the actual number of issued was 2,000, about 1.3 fold more than the estimated number of subjects to be reached by the campaign!

Successfully attracting our target audience to engage in face-to-face communication: all of the patients (100%) that participated in the room escape games have not taken part in any health education events before!

About a dozen of healthcare bloggers (doctors) have shared the comic strips to add influence to the campaign; 2,680 people have watched the health education animated episodes within three months.

The series of campaign – comic strip, animation and health education events – have become the main health education materials for the important third party, the Arthritis Foundation, which is expected to improve upon communication and power of influence.