What are PFAS and why are they harmful? A comic strip explains.

November 12, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

A toxicologist talking to a father holding the toddler

PFAS are a group of chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” that are common in a wide variety of every-day products. In this comic strip, our toxicologist explains how they can have serious health issues.

“I got you”: the work of a Violence Interrupter

October 2, 2024.Reading time 9 minutes.

A man in a shirt that reads "Violence Interrupter" holds two angry teenagers apart.

Gun violence prevention takes a community of people looking out for each other. In this comic strip, we go behind the scenes to see how a community member works to prevent violence in his King County neighborhood.

What pandemic death data reveal about health in King County now

September 5, 2024.Reading time 15 minutes.

Understanding data about deaths can shed light on what’s happening in our communities in terms of health. Public Health – Seattle & King County is using data from the COVID-19 pandemic to help set priorities moving forward.

“Just because you can’t see symptoms…”: A story from a Long COVID Clinic

July 17, 2024.Reading time 12 minutes.

Young adult patient talks with Dr. Nikki Gentile. Both wear masks.

In this comic strip, a clinician at the UW Long COVID Clinic shares her experiences supporting patients whose lives have been upended by long COVID. She also shares advice about what can help.

How contagious is measles? A comic strip explains.

April 18, 2024.Reading time 4 minutes.

A young man sits in a waiting room. He looks miserable and a cloud of virus floats around him. Six people sit near him, including two children.

This comic explains how measles is able to spread so easily to people who haven’t previously had measles or been vaccinated against measles.

They Don’t See the Crash: Jesse’s Long COVID Story

March 15, 2024.Reading time 11 minutes.

A Black man with a neatly trimmed beard wearing a baseball jersey squints his eyes in pain. His hand is held to his head. In the street scene behind him, a car is honking, a dog is barking, and a child is crying.

Jesse was a long-time teacher at Garfield High, writer and activist when his life was upended by new ailments after he had a COVID infection. His story is the second in a series of comics about what it’s like to have long COVID.