The Use of Social Networks in the prevention of childhood obesity
3 likes434 views
The document discusses using social networks to help prevent childhood obesity. It notes that childhood obesity rates have doubled or tripled in most countries over the past 30 years. Social networks can help educate the public, reach large audiences, strengthen support networks, and mobilize key actors. Objectives include facilitating the dissemination of health information through social networks. Research is needed to identify influential online figures to engage and help spread information. Messages should be clear, concise, relevant and call people to action. Social networks allow two-way communication and participation in health.
![To tweet or not to tweet? : Exploring the use of Social Media for [public] he...](https://cdn.slidesharecdn.com/ss_thumbnails/pahocisco-091130222152-phpapp01-thumbnail.jpg?width=560&fit=bounds)
The Use of Social Networks in the prevention of childhood obesity
- 1. Using social networks in the prevention of childhood obesity Romina Cialdella Communication Specialist at PAHO/WHO eHealth workshop at the Pan American Conference on Obesity, with special attention on childhood obesity Aruba - June 14, 2012
- 2. What we already know about #Obesity Trends in childhood obesity keep going up Rates have doubled or even tripled in most countries over the past 30 years Obesity is a factor of a larger issue: the NCDs epidemic
- 3. The Challenge • Tackling this epidemic demands a multisectoral approach… in other words, we need everybody’s help! • Increasing the need to: – Educate the public and share health information; – Reach and engage large and diverse audiences; – Strengthen support networks; – Mobilize key social actors; – Exchange knowledge and promote technical cooperation; – and much more
- 4. eHealth can help What is eHealth?? The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in support of health
- 5. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
- 6. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) at PAHO/WHO
- 7. eHealth eHealth Strategy and Plan of Action for the Americas Objective 4.3: Facilitate the dissemination, communication, and widespread distribution of health information, with emphasis on emergencies, through social networks.
- 8. Social Networks: #DidYouKnow? Facebook connects 341Million+ people in the Americas Twitter connects 114M+ in the world, 24M+ in the Region 841 million on Facebook worldwide *Data from SocialBakers.com
- 9. Social Networks: #DidYouKnow? Medscape connects more than 100,000 health practitioners PatientsLikeMe connects 100,000+ members. Finding and connecting with patients like them, members share information and personal experiences, gain social support, learn first-hand about ways to cope & manage.
- 10. Where do we start? Set objectives • Through the use of social networks… – Educate the public and share health information; – Reach and engage large and diverse audiences; – Strengthen support networks; – Mobilize key social actors;
- 11. Where do we start: Research • To make the information go viral … – Build a network of key actors in the virtual realm – Who is on your side, who can help you? • Online Community Influencers: – Who is contributing most to the conversations? – Which social networks are they using? – What are they saying? – What is their influence? Do they have a strong following and/or readership? Are others helping distribute their content?
- 12. Where do we start with: Twitter is an online social networking service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters.
- 13. Where do we start with: Building a Network: Who to Follow? Just a few examples • Ministries of health • Campaigns • News Media • Partners/Donors • Public Figures • Experts
- 14. Where do we start with:
- 15. Where do we start with: Lists and Directories • Wefollow.com • Followerwonk.com • Twellow.com • Listorious.com • Symplur.com • And many more… Example of a listing in a directory:
- 16. Where do we start with: Engage: Why? How? • To build a relationships with 1. Follow them opinion leaders, experts, 2. RT (retweet) social actors, etc 3. @Reply 4. DM (direct message) • Team up so they can disseminate health 5. Email, face-to-face social information (RT) and help you networking reach larger audiences • Get their feedback, exchange knowledge, share experiences
- 17. Some examples from PAHO:
- 18. Some examples from PAHO:
- 19. Some examples from PAHO:
- 20. Where do we start with:
- 21. Where do we start with:
- 22. Who do we want to reach? • In the case of PAHO: – Patients and Caregivers – Health professionals – Partnering organizations and institutions – Academia – Social actors – and many more…
- 23. Who do we want to reach? • Patients – ¼ of Americans diagnosed with chronic illnesses use the Internet to find people with similar health concerns* – They go online to share their experiences with others, learn more about their illness and exchange health information, seek advice to cope with difficulties, and find support groups * According to a Pew research study
- 24. Who do we want to reach? • Caregivers – 88% of caregivers who have access to the Internet look for health information online* • Social Actors – Of the people using the Internet, 80% of them participate in voluntary groups or organization, and are more likely than others to be politically involved and civically engaged – They can help to make a change and influence others to join the fight *According to a Pew Research study
- 25. Now let´s begin to share: • Messages should be: – Clear, Concise, Concrete – Plain language – Active Voice – Relevant, useful, interesting – Action oriented – Friendly, engaging tone – Call for attention – Tie messages to specific products or services
- 26. Now let´s begin to share: Audio/Visual Materials Tied to product Call to Action to social actors
- 27. Now let´s begin to share:
- 28. Don´t forget to listen • Social Networks provide the opportunity to listen to the citizens and allow them to participate individually and collectively in the planning and implementation of their healthcare (Alma-Ata) • Social networks allow for two-way communication and improved interaction through innovative technologies
- 29. eHealth PAHO Portal • To learn more about eHealth projects in the Region, visit the eHealth portal at: – http://www.paho.org/ICT4Health • You will find: – eHealth Strategy and Plan of Action for the Americas – Resources and important documentation – News, interviews with experts in the Region
- 30. The use of social networks in the prevention of childhood obesity Romina Cialdella eHealth Communication Specialist Pan American Health Organization/WHO [email protected] @RominaCialdella