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The concept of a "helpful story" can be seen as a narrative designed to foster behavior change, improve health literacy, or build empathy through shared lived experiences. Research shows that storytelling is a powerful tool for health promotion, particularly in underserved populations, because it facilitates adaptive collective sensemaking and helps listeners relate through "homophily"—a feeling of connection with the characters [17, 19]. Effective Storytelling Frameworks

: Professionals often use "personal knowing" to give voice to untold stories, such as those experienced by healthcare practitioners and families during the COVID-19 pandemic, to foster dialogue and healing [15]. (473 KB)

: Writing in the active voice makes the story more engaging and direct [21]. The concept of a "helpful story" can be