Children’s hospital Paz Holandesa uses type to spread knowledge about spina bifida

A free children’s hospital in Peru, Paz Holandesa Hospital, has teamed up with Studio Rejane Dal Bello (SRDB) for an awareness campaign about spina bifida. This is the name of a neural tube defect in which a baby’s spine and spinal cord don’t develop properly, creating gaps. While the exact cause is unknown, there are certain risk factors which increase the chances of the defect. The aim is to grab the attention of pregnant patients attending the hospital and ultimately reduce this risk.

The campaign lives through a series of eye-catching pamphlets, posters and digital motion assets – for which SRDB partnered with motion designer David Barnett. The design from SRDB is minimal, relying on a clear black and white colour palette for messaging. The focal point is the type, which seeks to communicate the nature of the condition and the different types of spina bifida using different letterforms. As a lack of folic acid in the early stages of pregnancy can be a significant risk factor for Spina Bifida, the graphics also feature a prominent illustration of a pill, 400gr of folic acid, one of the preventative measures pregnant people can take.

The printed material also contains the symptoms of spina bifida and other risk factors – such as a family history of the condition. The campaign will run throughout the hospital and surrounding area.

“By raising awareness of spina bifida, Paz Holandesa hopes to reduce the incidence of this birth defect”, says SRDB, ultimately improving the health of babies and pregnant patients in the region.