This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Even as the scientific community has reached a broad consensus that infectious pathogens, such as viruses, can spread through virus-laden aerosols, one fundamental challenge remains: How can scientific evidence be transformed into public understanding—and ultimately into meaningful action for effective airborne disease control and prevention? A new international study led by researchers at the Aerosol Science Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), Taiwan, offers an evidence-based answer.
Published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, the study demonstrates that animation is significantly more effective than text alone in motivating people to adopt preventive health behaviors. The findings suggest that effective science communication is not simply about delivering accurate information. Rather, it is about helping people understand complex science, emotionally connect with its relevance and translate that understanding into action.
The interdisciplinary research team evaluated three science communication formats—plain text, explainer comics and animation—using "The Quest of the Virosols," an original educational series developed by the Aerosol Science Research Center team at NSYSU following publication of the team's review article in Science on airborne transmission of respiratory viruses. The cross-national study involved 3,217 participants from Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, including health care professionals, educators and university students. Researchers examined how different communication formats influenced scientific understanding and willingness to adopt preventive measures against airborne infectious diseases.
While all three formats improved participants' knowledge, animation consistently produced the strongest behavioral impact. Compared with plain text, animation and explainer comics made complex concepts surrounding airborne virus transmission substantially easier to understand. Animation, however, went one step further—significantly increasing participants' willingness to implement preventive measures.
Professor Paichi Pat Shein, one of the study's corresponding authors, noted that animation's effectiveness lies not only in its visual appeal but also in its ability to create emotional engagement. By combining narrative, imagery and character-driven storytelling, animation allows viewers to better understand how airborne diseases affect themselves, their families and society. This emotional connection strengthens risk perception, increases empathy and ultimately encourages behavioral change.
The study also found that animation had an especially strong impact among female participants, possibly reflecting stronger concern for environmental issues, public health and the well-being of others. These findings suggest that empathy may play an important role in translating scientific understanding into preventive action. "The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that scientific evidence alone is not enough to change the world," said Professor Chia C.
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