What is the Role of Social Media In Communicating Public Health Information?

Abstract

Public health professionals recognize the importance of public health communication and view it as a vital component of healthcare worldwide. The growth of social media as a communication channel of public health information is a force to be reckoned with. The goal of this research has been to explore social media as a component of public health communication and to learn how professional health communicators view the role of social media. This research was accomplished through a qualitative approach that included interviews of practicing public health communicators on how they interact with and capitalize on using social media in their current roles and past experience. Key insights generated include the advantages, challenges, strategies, and general observations related to social media within the public health community.