Creative Submissions Poured in for Inaugural ODP Art Challenge

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More than 140 participants submitted pieces taking on ODP’s inaugural challenge, “How Prevention Can Create Better Health for Everyone.”

Americans are seeing their youth struggle with complex issues like infections, mental health and gun safety. But, what do young people have to say about these matters? The Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) sought out the answer to this question by tapping into some of the most creative and artistic young minds through its first-ever nationwide art challenge.

More than 140 participants submitted pieces taking on ODP’s inaugural challenge, “How Prevention Can Create Better Health for Everyone.” Drawings, paintings and digital compositions were among the various media artists used to express their ideas.

The young artists, spanning ages 13-22, demonstrated how prevention can help advance health equity by highlighting minority groups that often lack access to care.

This year’s submissions also shed light on prevalent health issues impacting America’s youth, such as addiction, loneliness and infections. Artists were graded on originality, creativity, quality, theme and impact, with finalists sharing $17,000 in prizes for first, second and third place and honorable mentions.

The contest aimed to start conversations among young people about what individuals or communities can do to prevent disease and injury, support well-being and promote more equitable health outcomes for everyone. The winning artwork addressed topics from the importance of social support and community connections, vaccinations and heart-healthy habits, to the benefits of community gardens and multilingual, inclusive health care.

View the online gallery of winning submissions and read about the artists at https://go.nih.gov/s7F1vcU.—Mahelate Solomon