Digital storytelling can improve immigrant health

SCIENCE NEWS FROM KRISTIANIA: Digital storytelling and health

Immigrant and refugee communities often face steep challenges when it comes to managing their health. Language barriers, unfamiliar health systems, and culturally mismatched care can limit access to services and weaken trust in public health efforts.

What if personal, digital, and community-driven stories could serve as a bridge to better health? 

Our recent study examined whether digital storytelling (DST), a method that blends personal narratives with digital media, can improve health outcomes for immigrant and refugee populations.

The findings suggest that while DST holds real promise, unlocking its full potential will require strategic effort and cultural sensitivity. 

Digital storytelling builds bridges in healthcare 

Digital storytelling combines personal experiences with multimedia tools such as images, audio, video, music, and text to create short, emotionally resonant narratives.  

Unlike pamphlets or public health campaigns that rely on generic messages, DST allows real people to speak in their own words, often in their own language, about issues that matter to them. 

Rather than being lectured, viewers hear from people like themselves who face similar fears, joys, and barriers.

For immigrants and refugees, DST offers more than just a communication strategy—it creates a platform to be seen, heard, and understood in a healthcare system that may otherwise feel alienating or inaccessible.

How digital storytelling helped improve health outcomes 

Vaccination campaigns 

DST has been particularly effective in promoting HPV vaccination among immigrant mothers. Culturally tailored digital stories addressed vaccine hesitancy, dispelled myths, and resonated deeply with viewers. After watching these stories, the intention to vaccinate increased from 53 percent to 74 percent. This emotional connection, rooted in shared experience, succeeded where fact sheets alone often fall short. 

Chronic disease management 

Managing chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes is hard enough—but for immigrants dealing with low health literacy and systemic mistrust, it’s even harder. DST helped participants see how others from their own community managed diet, medication, and daily routines. Stories from, for example, Somali and Latino patients created a ripple effect by reinforcing healthy behaviors, boosting confidence, and reducing feelings of isolation. 

Mental health and emotional healing 

The mental toll of forced migration can be immense. DST has been used to help refugees reflect on experiences of trauma, loss, and adaptation. For example, Somali refugees in one project explored the psychological effects of displacement, creating stories that not only supported personal healing but also opened space for broader community dialogue around mental health—a topic often stigmatized. 

Reproductive health and social integration 

Among refugee women, DST was used to share experiences related to reproductive health and navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems. These stories revealed cultural misunderstandings, communication gaps, and unmet needs. They encouraged providers to reflect on how care can be more inclusive. The storytelling process empowered women to advocate for themselves and challenge systemic barriers. 

Migration stress and identity 

Beyond clinical issues, some DST projects focused on identity, belonging, and emotional adaptation during resettlement. Refugees used digital narratives to explore generational differences in coping, identity reconstruction, and community integration. These stories served both as therapeutic outlets and as tools for designing more responsive mental health support. 

Health literacy and empowerment 

DST also improved general health literacy. Participants said the experience gave them the confidence to ask questions, seek care, and better understand how to manage their health. This effect was particularly strong in low-literacy or newly arrived populations, showing DST’s potential as a tool for orientation and empowerment. 

Navigating healthcare systems 

Some stories focused on the practical aspects of healthcare access such as how to book appointments, understand insurance, or talk to providers. For people overwhelmed by unfamiliar systems, these narratives functioned as informal peer coaching, demystifying healthcare and offering real-world guidance. 

Why it works 

What makes DST so compelling is its authenticity. Rather than being lectured, viewers hear from people like themselves who face similar fears, joys, and barriers. This creates emotional resonance, builds empathy, and helps health messages stick. 

It’s time we start listening to the voices and experiences of immigrant and refugee communities. 

DST doesn’t just communicate information; it fosters connection and community. That’s especially critical for groups who often feel excluded or unheard in healthcare conversations. 

The barriers 

Despite its potential, DST faces several challenges: 

• Technological barriers: Many refugee and immigrant communities may lack access to digital devices or reliable internet connections. 

• Digital literacy: Some participants need additional support to create or even view digital stories, especially if they are unfamiliar with technology. 

• Cultural sensitivity: For DST to be effective, stories must align with cultural beliefs, languages, and social norms. Without this, the message may be misunderstood or ineffective. 

• Emotional risk: Sharing personal and often traumatic experiences can be emotionally taxing. This requires ethically sound facilitation, with attention to informed consent, privacy, and psychological safety. 

Four tips to transform digital stories into health interventions 

Across the studies we reviewed, several best practices emerged: 

• Create stories in native languages to make them more relatable and culturally meaningful. 

• Use community-based approaches that involve participants throughout the entire process, from planning to sharing. 

• Offer supportive and safe spaces where individuals feel comfortable expressing personal experiences. 

• Incorporate multimedia elements like images, music, and narration to engage people across different literacy levels. 

These strategies help digital storytelling go beyond inspiration. When applied thoughtfully, DST becomes a practical tool for behavior change, health education, and advocacy. 

DST can break down language and trust barriers for immigrant and refugee populations, amplify marginalized voices, and promote more personalized care. It’s time we start listening to the voices and experiences of immigrant and refugee communities. 

References: 

Kisa, S., & Kisa, A.  (2025) Can digital storytelling improve health outcomes for immigrant and refugee populations? A scoping review. BMC Public Health, 25(1):1043. 

Text: Adnan Kisa, professor at the Institute of Health and Training, School of Health Sciences, Kristiania University of Applied Sciences. 

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