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OHSU Health Zine Library

A resource for finding and using zines at OHSU

OHSU Health Zine Library

The OHSU Health Zine Library provides the OHSU community with a variety of contemporary zines across subject areas related to health, wellness, and the human condition. The collection is available for checkout and library use. It is located across from the OHSU Library Service Desk, 3rd floor, BICC building.  A full listing of zines can be found in the Library's catalog.

 

 

Why have zines at OHSU?

        

Why do we have zines? Many reasons! 

 

              .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

1. It adds the patient's voice into the collection.  

Much of the library collection at OHSU is composed of items from the clinician and researcher viewpoint. The patient’s perspective is largely absent. The patient's perspective is important because it provides unique insights and personal knowledge of health and the health care system. All zines in the collection are written from people’s actual experience with these health conditions. These perspectives are critical to health education because they add an unedited and honest view of conditions, symptoms, and treatments.  

2. Zines are an important tool of health literacy  

Health zines explain medical terms and symptoms using easily understandable words and phrases. They can help people experiencing similar conditions to connect with others, articulate their needs, and encourage additional research.  

3. Zines promote empathy and understanding between the patient and the health provider.  

Zines are personal and come from diverse viewpoints. Health sciences students can gain more empathy for the patient experience, enhance patient communication, and inspire reflection of different patient communication and delivery methods. 

 

Zine Subjects