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Have you heard of StoryRx? The team behind it, led by Stellenbosch University, are co-creating AI-powered stories with people living with Type 2 diabetes, healthcare workers, and community partners. Here’s how to get involved.
What is StoryRx?
StoryRx is a project that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create visual and audio stories about living with Type 2 diabetes in African contexts. Instead of sending people long pamphlets or complicated health information, StoryRx delivers short, engaging stories that are:
Culturally grounded – using local foods, family roles, daily routines, and situations that people recognise.
Language-inclusive – designed to work in South African languages such as English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa, with simple, clear wording.
Accessible on everyday tools – especially WhatsApp-friendly audio and visual stories that do not require expensive data or special apps.
Co-designed with communities – patients, community health promoters, community members, medical professionals, software designers and developers all help shape and improve the stories.
The project is focused on providing culturally relevant stories to help people manage diabetes, using responsible, ethical approaches to support people rather than speaking over them or about them.
What is currently happening with the project?
The StoryRx study is moving into its next major phase, which includes 4 key elements:
1. Refining the AI story tool
Using existing African health survey data and medical expert input to generate realistic, locally relevant diabetes stories.
Working with medical practitioners to check that each story is clinically accurate and safe before it is shared.
2. Co-design workshops with stakeholders
Bringing together about 40 stakeholders – including patients, community representatives, healthcare workers and designers – to:
Review early story prototypes.
Identify gaps (things like stigma, mental health, diet, physical activity, medication routines).
Decide which formats work best (audio, comics, short text, etc.).
3. Preparing for a larger patient study
In the next phase, the project plans to work with around 10 healthcare providers and approximately 300 adults living with Type 2 diabetes.
South Africans with Diabetes are invited to participate in this study!
Participation is easy. You’ll receive StoryRx content on your phone (for example on WhatsApp) and give feedback on:
Whether the stories feel relatable, medically accurate, consistent and contextually relevant.
Whether they help with understanding diabetes and day-to-day self-management.
How easy or difficult is it to use the story on digital platforms like WhatsApp.
4. Strong focus on ethics and data protection
The study follows formal ethics review processes through the Stellenbosch University Health Research Ethics Committee (reference number: N24/07/087).
Special attention is given to privacy, fairness, digital safety, and avoiding harm, particularly in WhatsApp groups and other digital spaces.
Who should join the project, and why?
StoryRx is inviting people connected to Type 2 diabetes care in South Africa, especially in the Western Cape and similar contexts. Have a look at the groups below to see if you should sign up:
Adults living with Type 2 Diabetes
You may be a good fit if:
You are 18 years or older and have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
You receive care at a public or private clinic in South Africa.
You have access to a smartphone, tablet or computer, and can use WhatsApp or similar messaging tools (even if you are not very “tech-savvy”).
Why join?
You can help shape a tool that is built with you, not just for you.
You may receive stories that:
Make diabetes information easier to understand.
Help you think through everyday decisions about food, exercise, medication and stress.
Reflect your realities, language, culture and challenges.
You will contribute to research that could improve diabetes education and support for others across South Africa and, eventually, other African countries.
Healthcare workers
This includes doctors, nurses, dietitians, diabetes educators, community health workers and counsellors.
Why join?
Help test whether AI-generated stories can support and extend your existing counselling, not replace it.
Give feedback on clinical accuracy, safety and feasibility in real clinic workflows.
Co-create tools that may reduce the burden of repeated explanations and improve patient understanding over time.
Community and design partners
Community-based organisations (e.g., diabetes support groups, NGOs), patient advocates, artists, storytellers and designers are also important.
Why join?
Ensure that the stories are respectful, non-stigmatising and truly community centred.
Bring in creative formats and local knowledge that AI alone would miss.
Strengthen community ownership over how health information is shared.
By joining, you are not just a “participant” – you become a co-author of the stories and tools that may support thousands of others navigating life with diabetes.
How can people get involved?
There are several ways to participate, depending on who you are and how much time you have. If you are living with Type 2 diabetes, you can sign up to be contacted when recruitment at your clinic or area begins, and participate in:
Short digital surveys
WhatsApp-based interviews or calls
Feedback on stories (for example, reacting to a story and telling us what felt right or wrong)
Participation is voluntary, and you can stop at any time. Taking part will not affect the usual care you receive from your healthcare provider.
What are the links to join?
Send a WhatsApp message to: 071 589 3409
Email: cocreate@sun.ac.za
Sign-up links for adults living with Type 2 diabetes:
Learn more about StoryRx:
Social Media
If you are living with Type 2 diabetes, working in diabetes care, or supporting people in your community, StoryRx is an opportunity to shape the future of AI in African health systems from the ground up.
This project is supported by these partners:
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