Comic-Con 2016

In the U.S., young people (ages 16-24 years) are significantly affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). Storytelling through comic books has been shown to be a useful method for HIV/STI education and prevention. The increasing popularity of comics-related media and advances in computerized graphics have created new ways of using comics to reach youth with HIV/STI information. Come and learn how scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Leigh Willis (behavioral scientist), Rachel Kachur (health scientist), Ted Castellanos (public health advisor), John Brooks (senior medical adviser), and from Terminus Media Mark Stancil (CEO). Artists Joe Phillips and Lexington Wolfcraft worked to create an HIV/STI focused motion comic that improves knowledge about, and reduces stigma around, HIV and STI, and encourages healthy behaviors by young people. Attendees will learn how audience feedback, behavioral research, and cutting-edge production methods were used to create the storyline and the look, sound, and feel of this motion comic. The first episode of the series will be debuted. Panelists will also provide information on how the public can access the full motion comic series and future plans for the series.