Ghosts, Ghouls, and Ghastly Drug Prices in Winning Halloween Haikus

If you dare, feast your eyes on this year’s winners of KFF Health News’ sixth annual Halloween Haiku contest. We received more than four dozen spooky submissions but only a few bubbled to the top of the cauldron. Here’s the winner and the top runners-up, illustrated by Oona Zenda. The judges’ favorites were inspired by blood shortages, high health care costs, and the eye-gouging price of prescription drugs. Keep an eye on KFF Health News’ social media accounts (X; Instagram; and Facebook) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!


1st Place

A black and white cartoon of a witch donating blood. The person taking her blood is Dr. Dracula. Above them is a banner that says: "Dr. Dracula's Blood Drive." Haiku text at the bottom of the image reads: "Vampires don’t scare me. Empty blood shelves, now that’s fear. Roll up, save a life. –Crystal Decker"
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Crystal Decker)

Vampires don’t scare me. 

Empty blood shelves, now that’s fear. 

Roll up, save a life.

— Crystal Decker 


2nd Place

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Sasha Zitter)

What spooks me the most 

Is not a ghoul or a ghost 

But steep health care bills.

— Tom Cook 


3rd Place

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Siri Palreddy)

No, not eye-gouging. 

My costume is scarier: 

Pharma price-gouging.

— Siri Palreddy


While Halloween may be coming to an end, KFF Health News reporting continues year-round. Send us your haikus at any time for possible inclusion in our Morning Briefing: https://kffhealthnews.org/contact-haiku/

2023 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Madeline Steward)
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Tom Cook)
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Brynne McBride)

2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Paul Hughes-Cromwick)
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Micki Jackson)
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Michael L. Millenson)
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