Potential of social media as a tool to combat foodborne illness. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chapman, Benjamin; Raymond, Benjamin; Powell, Douglas
• Is Part Of: Perspectives in public health. Volume 134:Number 4(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 225
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: social media -- health risk -- food safety -- risk communication -- foodborne illness -- behavior change; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Grande-Bretagne -- Périodiques; Promotion de la santé -- Périodiques; 614
• DOI: 10.1177/1757913914538015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-9139

Abstract

The use of social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, has been increasing substantially in recent years and has affected the way that people access information online. Social media rely on high levels of interaction and user-generated context shared through established and evolving social networks. Health information providers must know how to successfully participate through social media in order to meet the needs of these online audiences. This article reviews the current research on the use of social media for public health communication and suggests potential frameworks for developing social media strategies. The extension to food safety risk communication is explored, considering the potential of social media as a tool to combat foodborne illness.