April is a month for celebration—from highlighting the crucial work of global health initiatives to embracing the creative spirit that fuels biomedical illustration. This month, we honour both World Health Day and World Art Day—perfect reminders of how scientific communication and artistic expression go hand-in-hand.
Special Mentions:
- World Health Day (April 7, 2025) reminds us of the global effort needed to promote equitable healthcare. Biomedical illustrators are vital to this mission, turning complex health information into clear, actionable visuals.
- World Art Day (April 15, 2025) celebrates creativity worldwide—what better time to spotlight the art behind science?
Highlights in Biomedical Visualization
Health is universal—and so is the need to understand it. This month, we’re spotlighting the powerful role medical illustration plays in bridging that gap. From patient education to groundbreaking research, visual storytelling helps make health information more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for diverse audiences around the world.
In honour of global health campaigns this April, artists have been sharing illustrations and infographics that fuse scientific accuracy with rich cultural narratives. These works not only support community health outreach but also reflect the beauty of global diversity in healthcare messaging.
Let’s take a moment to celebrate the illustrators, educators, and healthcare professionals using visual media to empower patients and transform understanding. Here are a few of our favourites this month!
- @who
- @amidotorg
- @unitednations
- @nimhgov
- @anatomyorg
- @jamanetwork
- @tedmedcommunity
- @nejm
- @amermedicalassn
- @mededucator
Emerging Trends
- Visual Storytelling for Public Health: Medical illustrators are increasingly partnering with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international health organizations to create campaigns that bridge literacy gaps.
- Accessible Design: More artists are prioritizing accessibility (high contrast, multilingual design, culturally sensitive visuals) to ensure global health messages reach broader audiences.
Educational Resources
- WHO Health Topics Library: A free source for key topics and foundational knowledge that can inspire visual project ideas.
- We also highly recommend checking out another captivating episode of Body Banter by the UBC HIVE. This episode, “Creating a Global Anatomy Community,” features Beverley Kramer, who shares insights on anatomy education, global collaboration, and leadership in the field.
Community & Collaboration
- Several Canadian and international health organizations have open calls for illustrators interested in volunteering or contracting for upcoming public health initiatives.
One to watch!
- Anne Corless — A Registered Medical Illustrator with a background in nursing and midwifery, Anne brings a unique clinical perspective to her work in scientific and natural history illustration. She holds a B.A. (Hons) in Design, specialising in scientific and natural history illustration, as well as a postgraduate qualification (MAA) in medical art. Anne has enjoyed a diverse career as a medical artist, working with global clients and creating compelling, informative visuals for healthcare and education. Check out some of her work here! https://annecorless.com/
Upcoming Events: AAA Conference
- AMI Conference July 2025: Registration opens soon! Be sure to check the AMI website for more details about workshops, speaker announcements, and more.
Finishing Question/Looking Ahead
💬 If you could design a global health poster or campaign, what issue would you highlight, and what visual style would you use?