Health Media Innovation Lab
The Health Media Innovation Lab aims to engage people around the world, through innovative digital media productions. We collaborate with academic institutions and global health agencies to translate evidence-based health recommendations into messages that are easily understood and shared. Our academic collaborators work at the WHO, UNICEF, the IASC, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health. Creative partners around the world share their talents to help us deliver our messages with a little bit of magic and inspiration. This initiative is led by Maya Adam M.D.
Human being. Handle with care.
Feeling stressed? You're not alone. Rates of anxiety, depression and burnout have soared in recent years. Look after yourself by getting enough sleep, eating sensibly, staying active and remembering to breathe mindfully. To learn more about a breathing technique called cyclic sighing, watch this short video.
Silver Medal from the AAMC Group on Institutional Advancement
A Little Help Goes a Long Way
2023 Gold Medal from the AAMC Group on Institutional Advancement
In the face of compounding stresses, many people struggle to find the strength to go on at times. Millions of people around the world are facing mental health challenges since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finding the courage to ask for help is one of the most important things we can do when we’re feeling overwhelmed. A little help can change everything. This video was directed and produced by Maya Adam. Animation: Matt Torode. Soundtrack: Misha Seeff. Special thanks to: Ann Doerr, Till Bärnighausen, Shuyan Liu, Jennifer Gates and Bonnie Maldonado.
Impostor Syndrome: You're Not Alone
Impostor syndrome is common, especially in high-achievers, women and under-represented minorities. And it’s problematic because it threatens our efforts to promote diversity in the workplace. If you struggle with impostor syndrome, you’re not alone. Talk about it with someone you trust. You’ve worked hard to be where you are. This video was directed by Maya Adam MD (madam@stanford.edu) Animation by Matt Torode and original soundtrack by Misha Seeff.
Colon Cancer Prevention
What if cancer prevention messaging felt less frightening and more human? In a new collaboration between Stanford Medicine’s Health Media Innovation Lab and the German Cancer Research Center, we are exploring whether a short, animated storytelling video can help people better understand colorectal cancer screening and feel more comfortable taking the next step toward prevention. Using humor, narrative, and visual storytelling, the project tests a new approach to scalable public health communication.
My Hero is You 2: How Kids Can Hope with COVID-19
This video is an adaptation of the children’s book, My Hero is You 2, released in 2021 to send a message of hope to children all around the world. As a global community navigating an ongoing pandemic, it can be difficult to stay hopeful at times. Our wish is that this short film warms your heart, makes you smile and reminds you that we are in this together.
My Hero is You 2 is the sequel to the original book, My Hero is You (released in 2020). These storybooks were created by mental health and psychosocial support experts from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the United Nations. A team, led by Stanford Medicine’s Maya Adam, adapted these stories into short animated films, with input and oversight from the IASC Mental health and Psychosocial Support Reference Group, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Media Library
In the News
NatureShort animated storytelling: designing science-based global health messages for extreme scalability - npj Digital Public Health
This recently published Comment highlights short, animated, wordless storytelling as a promising approach to designing science-based health messages that can overcome barriers of culture, language, literacy, and education.
News CenterCan a short animation change how people view addiction?
Might stigma around drug and alcohol use disorder be lessened by a short video starring animated fish? Early signs indicate yes.
News CenterFeeling lonely? You are far from alone: Expert advice on how to get reconnected
A loneliness prescription? Anna Lembke says 'Action. Don't be passive. Do at least one thing each day that makes you feel more connected to other people and the world.'
News CenterStanford Medicine wins multiple awards for excellence in communications
Faculty and Office of Communications staff earn nine awards from the Association of American Medical Colleges.
News CenterStanford Medicine wins national awards for COVID-19 remembrance project and work by media creators
A COVID-19 remembrance project, two videos, an article about bad brain cells and Stanford Medicine magazine have been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
AAMCCOVID-19 Animation Series by Maya Adam, MD
COVID-19 Animation Series by Maya Adam, MD Stanford University School of Medicine
Speaking of Medicine and HealthPLOS Medicine Author Interview: Maya Adam, MD - Speaking of Medicine and Health
PLOS Medicine interviews author Maya Adam, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University.
The Stanford DailyQ&A: Health Media Innovation director Maya Adam says non-traditional innovators can help solve global health challenges
The Daily sat down with Maya Adam ’04, the director of Stanford’s Health Media Innovation and leader of the Global Child Health Media Initiative. Her background includes a period of being a…
News CenterThe power of animation: Two videos offer messages of hope during the pandemic
Two animated videos from Stanford Medicine aim to help people around the world who are struggling to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic.
JHC ImpactMy Hero is You
Health entertainment to support children during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis
ScopeAnimated video helps kids weather the COVID-19 pandemic
A Stanford Medicine educator worked on an animated video that helps children manage feelings of loneliness during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
ScopeStanford project brings health education videos to mothers in South Africa - Scope
A Stanford team is developing health education videos that can be used by community health workers to help mothers and babies in South Africa.
MediumQhawes Story
A new star is lighting up the production team at Digital MEdIC South Africa’s head office in Cape Town. Her name is Qhawe Nkopane and she is DMSA’s youngest voice actor.
Scientific American Blog NetworkThe Rise of Health Entertainment to Convey Lifesaving Messages in the COVID-19 Pandemic
The crisis shows the need for public health authorities to get creative in their communications
ScopeAnimated COVID-19 prevention video goes viral
Two videos created by a Stanford Medicine educator are being used to teach people around the globe about how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Scientific American Blog NetworkCould Video Games and Other Entertainment Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19?
It's not as crazy as it might sound
Publications & Awards
Awards
- Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Bronze Award Communication 2025 for the Health Compass Podcast
- AAMC-GIA 2025 Award for Excellence (Audio and Video category) Breaking Free, a video intervention aimed at reducing addiction stigma and promoting help-seeking
- Official Selection: World Health Organization's 2024 Health for All Film Festival
- AAMC-GIA 2024 Silver Award for Handle with Care
- Circle of Excellence Gold Award for A Little Help Goes a Long Way
- AAMC-GIA 2023 Gold Award for A Little Help Goes a Long Way
- AAMC-GIA 2022 Bronze Award for the COVID-19 Animation Series
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education 2022 Circle of Excellence - Bronze Award for The Great Race
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education 2022 Circle of Excellence - Silver Award for Grandma Knows Best
- Vegas Movie Awards for My Hero is You
- International PSA Competition for The Great Race 2020
- Your Script Produced! Season 3 quarter finalist for The Dog Box
- Independent Shorts Award for My Hero is You
- International KidsNFilm Festival selection for My Hero is You
- Canadian Cinematography Awards (CaCA) finalist for My Hero is You
- Paris Lift-Off Film Festival selection for My Hero is You
- One-Reeler Short Film Competition award winner for COVID-19 Vaccine: Bringing us Together
- Best Shorts Competition selection for COVID-19 Vaccine: Bringing us Together
- Cordillera International Film Festival selection for COVID-19 Vaccine: Bringing us Together
- SATISFIED EYE International Film Festival finalist for COVID-19 Vaccine: Bringing us Together
- LA Femme International Film Festival selection for COVID-19 Vaccine: Bringing us Together
- Docs Without Borders Film Festival award winner for COVID-19 Vaccine: Bringing us Together