CCM1 Awareness Module
Case Study

CCM1: A Genetic Risk in

New Mexican Spanish Families 

Overview

     This project is a short, multimedia learning experience designed to raise awareness of CCM1—a genetic mutation disproportionately affecting people of New Mexican Spanish ancestry.

     The module combines a short hook video with a self-paced interactive microlesson, guiding learners from initial awareness to optional next steps for exploring their own health risk.

The Challenge

Many people in the target audience have never heard of CCM1, despite its prevalence in their communities. At the same time, genetic health information can be overwhelming, emotionally charged, and easy to misinterpret.

The design challenge was not just to inform, but to:

  • introduce unfamiliar medical information clearly;
  • avoid unnecessary alarm;
  • support learners in making their own informed decisions.

This required a balance between clarity, nuance, and respect for learner autonomy.

 

My Approach

I designed the experience as a short, self-directed learning pathway that prioritizes understanding over instruction.

  • Audience-aware design: The module is built for adults with varied health literacy and access to care, many encountering this topic for the first time.

  • Non-alarmist communication: Tone and structure emphasize choice, uncertainty, and personal context rather than urgency or fear.
  • Progressive disclosure: A short hook video introduces the topic, followed by a ~10-minute interactive lesson that learners can explore at their own pace.
  • Interpretive learning design: Instead of focusing on “right answers,” the module includes reflective interactions that help learners process what the information means for them.
  • Action-oriented outcomes: The experience supports learners in identifying optional next steps, such as researching family history or initiating conversations with healthcare providers.

 

The Solution

The final product is a publicly accessible learning experience consisting of:

  • a short introductory video to establish relevance and curiosity;
  • an interactive video with embedded knowledge checks;
  • a reflective activity (“How does this information land for you?”);
  • a branching scenario modeling realistic responses to new health information;
  • an optional checklist of next steps with supporting resources.

The module is delivered through a Google Site with embedded H5P content, allowing learners to access it easily without login or prior setup.

 

Results & Reflection

This project reinforced the importance of designing for real-world decision-making, not just content delivery.

In a health context, clarity alone isn’t enough; learners also need space to interpret information, sit with uncertainty, and decide what (if anything) they want to do next.

Designing for that kind of experience shifted my focus:

  • from “What should learners know?”
  • to “What do learners need in order to make sense of this -- and what support do they need to act on it?”

 

Design Process Materials