Social Media and Public Health Communications

Can social media extend the reach of

public health messages?

@mozziebites (aka Dr Cameron E Webb)

University of Sydney and Pathology West – ICPMR Westmead

Social media isn’t a parallel universe…

…use it to build networks between local authorities, traditional media and the community

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Tweets from the social swamp

Social media is on the rise as a shared

source of news and information

Local authorities maintain a strong and

engaging online presence

My use of social media firstly to engage in

wetland education

Allows contact with community,

professionals and media organisations

Now to health promotion…

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Tweeting public health messages

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

How many people saw that tweet?

Webb (2013) “Could social media help beat the bite of mosquito-borne disease?” Mosquito Research and Management. http://cameronwebb.wordpress.com/2013/05/22/mozzie-bites-and-tweet-tracking/

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

November 2012 May 2013

Retweets by media and

“large” accounts

Retweets by many

“small” accounts

You don’t need a million (or more) followers

It’s the quality of connections, not the quantity, that’s important

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Creating social and “unsocial” networks

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Traditional media connection critical

Journalists, broadcasters and media

outlets all have social media presence

Twitter is often place of first contact

Enhance interviews with retweeted links

and content

Engage new audiences to extend

networks and conversations

Establish a voice of authority

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Getting the (non academic) message out

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Blogging about bites

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

www.cameronwebb.wordpress.com

Getting the good info out there!

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Blog post articlePublication

dateViews

Do mosquito repellent wrist bands work? 25 Nov 2013 27,481

Testing the claims of new mosquito repellents 25 July 2013 12,373

Busting five myths of mosquito repellents 22 July 2013 8,788

Why don’t mosquitoes spread Ebola? 20 Oct 2014 2,841

Mosquito Repellent Guidelines 10 Jan 2013 2,408

Attracting readers, beating bites

Webb “Social media and public health messages” #EntSoc14 @mozziebites

Access to my blog posts far outweighs access to publish scientific literature

I strongly feel social media can increase

the reach of public health messages…

…but…

…it must be used to enhance traditional

communications, not replace them.

Summary

1. Engage with “like-minded” tweeters and their hashtags

2. Add a little (but not too much) of yourself

3. You don’t need to follow thousands of people to start,

follow a few until you find your “twitter” feet

4. You don’t need to tweet all the time, a few a day is fine

5. It takes time to build followers, be patient

6. Don’t underestimate impact. More people than just

“followers” will read tweets

7. Don’t be mean or embarrass your boss!

Seven tips for newcomers

Thank you!

Join the conversation

Visit my website: http://cameronwebb.wordpress.com

Email: [email protected]

Follow me on Twitter: @mozziebites