Using Social Media to Understand Public Perceptions of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Tian ◽  
Christy Gaines ◽  
Lori Launi ◽  
Ana Pomales ◽  
Germaine Vazquez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Related Information ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

BACKGROUND Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are environmental contaminants that have received significant public attention. PFAS are a large group of human-made chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1950s. Human exposure to PFAS is a growing public health concern. Studies suggest that exposure to PFAS may increase risk for some cancers and have negative health impacts on endocrine, metabolic, and immune systems. Federal and state health partners are investigating exposure to and possible health effects associated with PFAS. Government agencies can observe social media discourse on PFAS to better understand public concerns and develop targeted communication and outreach efforts. OBJECTIVE The primary objective is to understand how social media is used to share, disseminate, and engage in public discussions of PFAS-related information in the United States. METHODS We investigated PFAS-related content across two social media platforms between 5/1/2017 and 4/30/2019 to identify how the social media is used in the U.S. to seek and disseminate PFAS-related information. Our key variable of interest was posts that mentioned “PFAS,” “PFOA,” “PFOS,” and their hashtag variations across social media platforms. Additional variables included post-type, time, PFAS-event, and geographic location. We examined term-use and post-type differences across platforms. We used descriptive statistics and regression analysis to assess the incidences of PFAS discussions and to identify time, event, and geographic patterns. We qualitatively analyzed social media content to determine the most prevalent themes discussed on social media platforms. RESULTS Our analysis revealed Twitter had a significantly greater volume of PFAS-related posts compared to Reddit (98,264 vs 3,126 posts, respectively). PFAS-related social media posts increased 670% over 2 years, indicating a marked increase in the social media users’ interest and awareness of PFAS. Active engagement varied across platforms, with Reddit posts demonstrating more in-depth discussions compared to passive likes and reposts among Twitter users. Spikes in PFAS discussions were evident and connected to discovery of contamination events, media coverage, and scientific publications. Thematic analysis revealed that the social media users see PFAS as a significant public health concern, harbors skepticism of some existing PFAS information sources, and seeks a trusted source of information about PFAS-related public health efforts. CONCLUSIONS The analysis identified a prevalent theme—on the social media, PFAS are perceived as an immediate public health concern and demonstrates a growing sense of urgency to understand this emerging contaminant and its potential health impacts. Government agencies can continue using social media research to better understand the changing community sentiment on PFAS and disseminate targeted PFAS-related scientific information, then use social media as a forum for dispelling misinformation, communicating scientific findings, and providing resources for relevant public health services.

scholarly journals Prevalence of health misinformation in social media: a systematic review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Suarez-Lledo ◽  
Javier Alvarez-Galvez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND The propagation of health misinformation through social media has become a major public health concern over the last two decades. Although today there is broad agreement among researchers, health professionals, and policy makers on the need to control and combat health misinformation, the magnitude of this problem is still unknown. Consequently, before adopting the necessary measures for the adequate control of health misinformation in social media, it is fundamental to discover both the most prevalent health topics and the social media platforms from which these topics are initially framed and subsequently disseminated. OBJECTIVE This systematic review aims to identify the main health misinformation topics and their prevalence on different social media platforms, focusing on methodological quality and the diverse solutions that are being implemented to address this public health concern. METHODS This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus and the Web of Science for articles published in English before March 2019 with a particular focus on studying health misinformation in social media. We defined health misinformation as a health-related claim based on anecdotal evidence, false, or misleading due to the lack of existing scientific knowledge. The criteria for inclusion were: 1) articles that focused on health misinformation in social media, including those in which the authors discussed the consequences or purposes of health misinformation; and 2) studies that described empirical findings regarding the measurement of health misinformation in these platforms. RESULTS A total of 69 studies were identified as eligible, covering a wide range of health topics and social media platforms. The topics were articulated around six principal categories: vaccines (32%), drugs or smoking (22%), non-communicable disease (19%), pandemics (10%), eating disorders (9%), and medical treatments (7%). Studies were mainly based on five methodological approaches: Social Network Analysis (28%), Evaluating Content (26%), Evaluating Quality (24%), Content/Text analysis (16%) and Sentiment Analysis (6%). Health misinformation proved to be the most more prevalent in studies related to smoking products and drugs such as opioids or marijuana. Posts with misinformation reached 87% in some studies focused in smoking products. Health misinformation about vaccines was also very common (43%), but studies reported different levels of misinformation depending on the different vaccines, with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine being the most affected. Secondly, health misinformation related to diets or pro eating disorders (pro-ED) arguments were moderate in comparison to the aforementioned topics (36%). Studies focused on diseases (i.e. non-communicable diseases and pandemics) also reported moderate misinformation rates (40%), especially in the case of cancer. Finally, the lowest levels of health misinformation were related to medical treatments (30%). CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of health misinformation was most common on Twitter and on issues related to smoking products and drugs. However, misinformation is also high on major public health issues such as vaccines and diseases. Our study offers a comprehensive characterization of the dominant health misinformation topics and a comprehensive description of their prevalence in different social media platforms, which can guide future studies and help in the development of evidence-based digital policy actions plans. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Characteristics of Gun Advertisements on Social Media: Systematic Search and Content Analysis of Twitter and YouTube Posts (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Jordan ◽  
James Kalin ◽  
Colleen Dabrowski
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Corporate Ownership ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Streaming Services ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Different Characteristics

BACKGROUND Although gun violence has been identified as a major public health concern, the scope and significance of internet gun advertising is not known. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to quantify the characteristics of gun advertising on social media and to compare the reach of posts by manufacturers with those of influencers. METHODS Using a systematic search, we created a database of recent and popular Twitter and YouTube posts made public by major firearm manufacturers and influencers. From our sample of social media posts, we reviewed the content of the posts on the basis of 19 different characteristics, such as type of gun, presence of women, and military or police references. Our content analysis summarized statistical differences in the information conveyed in posts to compare advertising approaches across social media platforms. RESULTS Sample posts revealed that firearm manufacturers use social media to attract audiences to websites that sell firearms: 14.1% (131/928; ±2.9) of Twitter posts, 53.6% (228/425; ±6.2) of YouTube videos, and 89.5% (214/239; ±5.1) of YouTube influencer videos link to websites that facilitate sales. Advertisements included women in efforts to market handguns and pistols for the purpose of protection: videos with women included protection themes 2.5 times more often than videos without women. Top manufacturers of domestic firearms received 98 million channel views, compared with 6.1 billion channel views received by the top 12 YouTube influencers. CONCLUSIONS Firearm companies use social media as an advertising platform to connect viewers to websites that sell guns. Gun manufacturers appropriate YouTube servers, video streaming services, and the work of YouTube influencers to reach large audiences to promote the widespread sale of consumer firearms. YouTube and Twitter subsidize gun advertising by offering server and streaming services at no cost to gun manufacturers, to the commercial benefit of Google and Twitter’s corporate ownership.

scholarly journals Social Media Infodemic During COVID-19 Outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 95-97
Author(s):  
Jeevan Bhatta ◽  
Sharmistha Sharma ◽  
Shashi Kandel ◽  
Roshan Nepal
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Common Platform

Social media is a common platform that enables its users to share opinions, personal experiences, perspectives with one another instantaneously, globally. It has played a paramount role during pandemics such as COVID-19 and unveiled itself as a crucial means to communicate between the sources and the individuals. However, it also has become a place to disseminate misinformation and fake news rapidly. Infodemic, a plethora of information, some authentic some not makes it even harder to general people to receive factual and trustworthy information when required, has grown to be a major risk to public health and social media is developing as a trendy platform for this infodemic. This commentary aims to explore how social media has affected the current situation. We also aim to share our insight to control this misinformation.  This commentary contributes to evolving knowledge to counter fake news or health-related information shared over various social media platforms.

scholarly journals Incorporating Issues of Elderly Loneliness into the Coronavirus Disease–2019 Public Health Response

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e13-e14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonny S. Patel ◽  
Aaron Clark-Ginsberg
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Elderly Populations

ABSTRACTAs the systems that people depend on are increasingly strained by the coronavirus disease–2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, public health impacts are manifesting in different ways beyond morbidity and mortality for elderly populations. Loneliness is already a chief public health concern that is being made worse by COVID-19. Agencies should recognize the prevalence of loneliness among elderly populations and the impacts that their interventions have on loneliness. This letter describes several ways that loneliness can be addressed to build resilience for elderly populations as part of the public health response to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Food Hypersensitivity Expertise on Social Media: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard James Thomas Hamshaw ◽  
Julie Barnett ◽  
Jeff Gavin ◽  
Jane S Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Food Allergy ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Food Hypersensitivity ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Professional Background ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
The Social

BACKGROUND Seeking and sharing information are the primary uses of the internet and social media. It is therefore vital to understand the processes individuals go through when engaging with information on these diverse platforms, especially in areas such as health- and risk-related information. One important element of such engagement is evaluating and attributing expertise to others. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore how meanings around expertise in relation to food allergy and intolerance (food hypersensitivity) were constructed by 2 groups of social media users: (1) those who use platforms for reasons relating to food hypersensitivity and (2) those seen as experts by this community. METHODS Survey participants were asked open-ended questions to identify potential experts in food hypersensitivity issues on social media and to discuss their reasoning for their choices (n=143). Subsequently, 8 adult social media users with experience of managing food hypersensitivity and 5 participants designated as experts by those users took part in email interviews. Survey and interview data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s approach. RESULTS Judging expertise on social media is a complex and multifaceted process. Users might be judged as experts through their professional background or their experience living with food hypersensitivities. How users behave on social media and the traces of their Web-based activity can influence how others will see them. Such considerations are both measured and moderated through the social media community itself. Findings highlighted how social media often act as a supportive information tool following a diagnosis, but this also raised concerns regarding the scenario of patients not being able to access suitable vetted information. CONCLUSIONS This work has implications for understanding how users perceive expertise on social media in relation to a health concern and how information assessments are made during the management of risks. Findings provide practical insights to both medical and organizational stakeholders involved in the support of those living with life-changing conditions, such as food hypersensitivities.

scholarly journals Sharing travel related experiences on social media – Integrating social capital and face orientation

2020 ◽  
pp. 135676672097504
Author(s):  
Thivashini B Jaya Kumar ◽  
See-Kwong Goh ◽  
M S Balaji
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Interaction Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Related Information ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Shed Light

Tourists can share their travel experiences or related information freely through social media platforms. The purpose of this research is to explore the factors associated with sharing travel related experiences on social media by travellers in the context of social capital theory and person-context interaction theory. Data were collected among consumers in Malaysia using a structured survey; 423 responses were generated. The findings show that the social capital dimensions (social ties, trust, reciprocity and shared vision) positively impact sharing intention on social media while identification doesn’t impact the sharing intention. The results also partially support the hypothesis that protective face orientation negatively influences social capital dimensions and sharing intention while acquisitive face orientation positively influences them. The authors shed light on the construction of social capital dimensions and face orientation and the relative importance of the sharing intention on social media.

Pinning to Cope: Using Pinterest for Chronic Pain Management

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 700-709
Author(s):  
Jeanine P. D. Guidry ◽  
Eric G. Benotsch
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Health Belief ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Belief Model

Chronic pain is an increasing public health concern, with an associated poor quality of life. Social media platforms play an increasing role in health communication issues, but visual platforms such as Pinterest are understudied. This study analyzed 502 Pinterest posts for chronic pain–related variables, including health belief model constructs, as well as measures of social support and coping mechanisms. Most pins mentioned the high severity of chronic pain, and a third mentioned self-efficacy related to self-care, while almost 50% referred to cues to action related to self-care. This study positions Pinterest as a social media platform with the potential to both transfer knowledge and provide social support for patients with chronic pain. Health care and public health practitioners should consider participating in these conversations as well as providing quality information to ensure that reputably sourced information is available.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Gun Advertisements on Social Media: Systematic Search and Content Analysis of Twitter and YouTube Posts

10.2196/15736 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. e15736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Jordan ◽  
James Kalin ◽  
Colleen Dabrowski
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Systematic Search ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Corporate Ownership ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Streaming Services ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Different Characteristics

Background Although gun violence has been identified as a major public health concern, the scope and significance of internet gun advertising is not known. Objective This study aimed to quantify the characteristics of gun advertising on social media and to compare the reach of posts by manufacturers with those of influencers. Methods Using a systematic search, we created a database of recent and popular Twitter and YouTube posts made public by major firearm manufacturers and influencers. From our sample of social media posts, we reviewed the content of the posts on the basis of 19 different characteristics, such as type of gun, presence of women, and military or police references. Our content analysis summarized statistical differences in the information conveyed in posts to compare advertising approaches across social media platforms. Results Sample posts revealed that firearm manufacturers use social media to attract audiences to websites that sell firearms: 14.1% (131/928; ±2.9) of Twitter posts, 53.6% (228/425; ±6.2) of YouTube videos, and 89.5% (214/239; ±5.1) of YouTube influencer videos link to websites that facilitate sales. Advertisements included women in efforts to market handguns and pistols for the purpose of protection: videos with women included protection themes 2.5 times more often than videos without women. Top manufacturers of domestic firearms received 98 million channel views, compared with 6.1 billion channel views received by the top 12 YouTube influencers. Conclusions Firearm companies use social media as an advertising platform to connect viewers to websites that sell guns. Gun manufacturers appropriate YouTube servers, video streaming services, and the work of YouTube influencers to reach large audiences to promote the widespread sale of consumer firearms. YouTube and Twitter subsidize gun advertising by offering server and streaming services at no cost to gun manufacturers, to the commercial benefit of Google and Twitter’s corporate ownership.

scholarly journals Physical distancing messages targeting youth on the social media accounts of Canadian public health entities and the use of behavioral change techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheryll Dimanlig-Cruz ◽  
Arum Han ◽  
Samantha Lancione ◽  
Omar Dewidar ◽  
Irina Podinic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Target Population ◽  
The Social ◽  
Youth And Young Adults ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Behavior Change Technique ◽  
Behavioral Change Techniques

Abstract Introduction Physical distancing (PD) is an important public health strategy to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 and has been promoted by public health authorities through social media. Although youth have a tendency to engage in high-risk behaviors that could facilitate COVID-19 transmission, there is limited research on the characteristics of PD messaging targeting this population on social media platforms with which youth frequently engage. This study examined social media posts created by Canadian public health entities (PHEs) with PD messaging aimed at youth and young adults aged 16–29 years and reported behavioral change techniques (BCTs) used in these posts. Methods A content analysis of all social media posts of Canadian PHEs from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube were conducted from April 1st to May 31st, 2020. Posts were classified as either implicitly or explicitly targeting youth and young adults. BCTs in social media posts were identified and classified based on Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy version 1 (BCTTv1). Frequency counts and proportions were used to describe the data. Results In total, 319 youth-targeted PD posts were identified. Over 43% of the posts originated from Ontario Regional public health units, and 36.4 and 32.6% of them were extracted from Twitter and Facebook, respectively. Only 5.3% of the total posts explicitly targeted youth. Explicit posts were most frequent from federal PHEs and posted on YouTube. Implicit posts elicited more interactions than explicit posts regardless of jurisdiction level or social media format. Three-quarters of the posts contained at least one BCT, with a greater portion of BCTs found within implicit posts (75%) than explicit posts (52.9%). The most common BCTs from explicit posts were instructions on how to perform a behavior (25.0%) and restructuring the social environment (18.8%). Conclusions There is a need for more PD messaging that explicitly targets youth. BCTs should be used when designing posts to deliver public health messages and social media platforms should be selected depending on the target population.

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