Activism and health 2.0 : social media and global change

Abstract

Over the past decade, the rise in popularity of social media and the groundswell phenomenon have had an impact on the way people interact with each other and get information. Today's "online" generation favors active, intimate relationships with organizations of all kinds, from non-profit social change organizations to health care providers. While many companies are facing hardship in the wake of these new consumer demands along with the recent economic downturn, those organizations that have turned to social media have seen success. I explain why social media provides the tools to attract and strengthen client relationships and foster activism in the social change community. I then look into how social media can be harnessed and used for public health research and development.