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Evolving Role of Social Media in Health Promotion: Updated Responsibilities for Health Education Specialists

Author

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  • Michael Stellefson

    (Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA)

  • Samantha R. Paige

    (STEM Translational Communication Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Beth H. Chaney

    (Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA)

  • J. Don Chaney

    (Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA)

Abstract

The use of social media in public health education has been increasing due to its ability to remove physical barriers that traditionally impede access to healthcare support and resources. As health promotion becomes more deeply rooted in Internet-based programming, health education specialists are tasked with becoming more competent in computer-mediated contexts that optimize both online and offline consumer health experiences. Generating a better understanding of the benefits and drawbacks to using social media in the field is important, since health education specialists continue to weigh its advantages against potential concerns and barriers to use. Accordingly, this Special Issue aims to explore social media as a translational health promotion tool by bridging principles of health education and health communication that examine (1) the method with which social media users access, negotiate, and create health information that is both actionable and impactful for diverse audiences; (2) strategies for overcoming challenges to using social media in health promotion; and (3) best practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating social media forums in public health. In this commentary, we discuss the updated communication and advocacy roles and responsibilities of health education specialists in the context of social media research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Stellefson & Samantha R. Paige & Beth H. Chaney & J. Don Chaney, 2020. "Evolving Role of Social Media in Health Promotion: Updated Responsibilities for Health Education Specialists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-7, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1153-:d:319827
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ruth F Hunter & Kayla de la Haye & Jennifer M Murray & Jennifer Badham & Thomas W Valente & Mike Clarke & Frank Kee, 2019. "Social network interventions for health behaviours and outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-25, September.
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    2. Nikita V. Polukhin & Tamara R. Nikolic Turnic & Natalia V. Ekkert & Vladimir A. Reshetnikov & Valery V. Royuk & Vera R. Shastina & Mikhail V. Vodolagin, 2023. "The Analysis of the Context of Digital Access to Healthcare in Russia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Mohammad Mulayh Alshammari & Yaser Hasan Al-Mamary & Aliyu Alhaji Abubakar, 2024. "Revolutionizing education: unleashing the power of social media in Saudi Arabian public universities," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Kevin K. C. Hung & Makiko K. MacDermot & Emily Y. Y. Chan & Sida Liu & Zhe Huang & Chi S. Wong & Joseph H. Walline & Colin A. Graham, 2021. "CCOUC Ethnic Minority Health Project: A Case Study for Health EDRM Initiatives to Improve Disaster Preparedness in a Rural Chinese Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-14, May.
    5. Chi-Horng Liao, 2020. "Evaluating the Social Marketing Success Criteria in Health Promotion: A F-DEMATEL Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Beniamino Schiavone & Andrea Vitale & Mena Gallo & Gianlucasalvatore Russo & Domenico Ponticelli & Mario Borrelli, 2021. "Overview of Facebook Use by Hospitals in Italy: A Nationwide Survey during the COVID-19 Emergency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Michael Stellefson & Samantha R. Paige & Beth H. Chaney & J. Don Chaney, 2020. "Social Media and Health Promotion," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-5, May.
    8. Krzysztof Płaciszewski & Waldemar Wierzba & Janusz Ostrowski & Jarosław Pinkas & Mateusz Jankowski, 2022. "Use of the Internet for Health Purposes—A National Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey among Adults in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-18, December.
    9. Xiwu Xu & Yaodong Zhou & Dai Su & Yuan Dang & Xianwen Zhang, 2023. "Does Education Influence Life-Course Depression in Middle-Aged and Elderly in China? Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-13, January.
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    11. Gary L. Kreps, 2021. "Health Advocacy and Health Communication for Elderly Health Care Consumers: Rationale, Demand, and Policy Implications," Journal of Elder Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(2), pages 113-138, March.

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