Journal 8

Using Social Media to Promote Behavior Change

Journal: Social Media and Healthy Behaviors

It is amazing to see how far social media has come and its impact on public health. Social networks have become so well established across the entire world; it has even become popular with all demographics: location, age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education levels. Social media can be modified and personalized to the needs of various populations. This can offer social support and connection between individuals. Research studies have shown that social media, if used properly in a public health setting can effectively support health development and behavior change. Several themes about what works to optimize messaging are beginning to emerge from early studies using tailored messaging, repurposing and applying multiple complementary delivery modes to reinforce key themes, and encouraging users to engage ( Korda & Itani, 2011). These features are popular and necessary as it relates to health promotion.

In this journal, the chosen CDC tips are from the Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland Flu vaccine campaign and Former smokers campaign. Both campaign videos were successful in addressing the issue and relaying a message as it relates to flu vaccination and smoking. The CDC’s tips for Former smokers campaign was really helpful because it targeted a population that was identified as the group with the highest smoking prevalence (CDC, 2017). The campaign ad was also engaging for viewers as it demonstrated the physical impact smoking can cause.

The Northern Ireland flu vaccine campaign was also visually descriptive as it used graphics to resemble the flu virus, the demographics that are mostly at risk of contracting the flu and the complications leading to possible death. The campaign stated that if a person already have a predisposed health condition such as asthma, diabetes, a heart condition, over 65 years old, and/or pregnant; the virus can cause many complications that will lead to hospitalization due to pneumonia, stillbirth, and even death. Also making the statement that the flu isn’t just a bad cold and it can and will cause severe complications that a cold wouldn’t which is why getting the flu vaccine is very important.

References

Korda,H., Itani, Z. ( 2011). Harnessing social media for health promotion and behavior change. Health Promotion Practice. Altarium Institute, Portland, ME, USA. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21558472

Youth and Tobacco Use | CDC. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm.