Talking Healthin a Social Age

James GarrowPhiladelphia Department of

Public Health

Public Health Emergenciesare Different

(in four ways)

1. No alarms

2. Worldwide scope

3. Slow burn

4.…and sometimes,

there is no emergency

Risk Communication

as Response

Implement protective measures

Believe recommendations

Hear and understand recommendations

Receive recommendations

Send recommendationsResponders

Public

Implement protective measures

Believe recommendations

Hear and understand recommendations

Receive recommendations

Send recommendations

Trusted

Available

Appropriate

Every day, we need to work to change mindsand behavior,NOT focus on

response

Be different

Be interesting

Be timely

Concerns Duringthe Emergency

1. Rumors and misinformation

2. Stigmatization

Stigmatization: To characterize or brand asdisgraceful or ignominious.

YouTube commentsNewspaper article

commentsHate speech

Anonymity

Fear of the “other”

H1N1

SARS

3. Stay in your lane

Summation

Social media is a part

of EVERYDAY LIFE.We might as well use it, and benefit

from what we learn.

Thank youhttp://about.me/jga

rrow