When the UCSF Center for Health Equity set out to share new findings on Black maternal health in California, they needed more than a research brief, they needed a publication capable of turning data into action.
The challenge was to transform dense public health research into an accessible, visually engaging report that could resonate with healthcare providers, policymakers, advocates, and community stakeholders equally.
The resulting brief became one of the Center’s most shared resources, generating hundreds of page views and downloads while helping expand the reach of this important research.
The Challenge
Public health research often contains valuable insights that never reach the audiences capable of creating change.
UCSF needed a report that would:
1. Present complex research findings clearly
2. Highlight disparities in Black maternal health outcomes
3. Balance data with lived experiences
4. Encourage action among healthcare systems and policymakers
5. Maintain accessibility and readability for diverse audiences
The information needed to be both academically credible and emotionally engaging.
Our Solution
Through discovery sessions, a project questionnaire, and research, we developed a creative direction that aligned with the UCSF Center for Health Equity’s established brand while giving the brief its own distinct visual identity. The result was a publication that felt both institutionally credible and uniquely tailored to the subject matter.
Key design strategies included:
1. Developed custom collage-based imagery that combined photography, shapes, and layered compositions to humanize the research and create emotional connection with the audience.
2. Translated complex public health research into an accessible reading experience through clear content organization, strategic pacing, and thoughtful visual hierarchy.
3. Designed an interactive checklist component that encouraged readers to actively engage with the report’s recommendations and key takeaways rather than passively consume information.
4. Designed a suite of accompanying promotional graphics to support the launch of the brief across social media, newsletters, presentations, and UCSF’s website.
Client feedback highlighted strong engagement and ongoing sharing of the report among colleagues and partner organizations.
• 500+ page views on the UCSF website
• 70+ report downloads shortly after launch
• Widely shared among public health and maternal health stakeholders
Visit the website here: https://healthequity.ucsf.edu/mce/improving-black-maternal-health-through-person-centered-care