Social media doing its bit.

Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites offer online health support and awareness.

Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and as well as social networking activity on other sites now provide online health support and industry – alongside grass-roots – access to information on health care. So it appears social junkies are in the know.

As reported, the most recent social media  experiment involving health care and social media took place on Facebook in an innovative and interesting way. It centred on the ‘Bra colour status’ campaign that worked to highlight breat cancer awareness, which involved posting a cryptic one word status update that indicated the colour of their bras. Causing a bit of a confusion amongst the male social networkers, it clearly got the message across (using two factors that motivate people, curiosity and sex) surrounding breast cancer awareness, especially when the news media tried to ferret out what was behind those odd, yet titillating postings. There is then the possibility that people will be educated on breast cancer risks, self exams, early detection and more. So the potency of digital PR from this example is palpable.

In fact, some argue that it would be rather simplistic to merely explain away the Facebook bra colour event as a social networking stunt or virtual flash mob. Instead, they argue that health care and social media are more closely intertwined than onlookers realise. A June 2009 report by Pew Research Centre reveals that 61% of Americans rely on online health support for disease and wellness information.

It is also interesting to note that 41% of patients seeking online health support also visit news groups and personal blogs. A smaller group – 24% – visit rankings sites to gain inside information on doctors and also medical clinics and hospitals.

Additionally, when it comes to Twitter, about 12% share updates on medical issues. Investigating the downside, however, it is noteworthy that 3% do report that social networking or other online health support has harmed them or someone else.  

In any case, I struggle to see how the emergence of speaking freely about common health risks and preventative methods in open platforms can be anything but a positive move. Gone are the days to shy away from such subjects of conversation, which can only help to raise much needed awareness of critical illnesses.