‘Health advocates must embrace social media’

Editorial Board

Editorial Board

April 17th, 2012

Editorial Board
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‘The Internet and social media networks play a critical role in how information is shared, according to Philip Weiss, a communications consultant, who says institutions, industry and health officials need to learn how to use these tools in order to become credible players in public health stories.’

Philip-WeissWeiss, who founded ZN, an e-communication agency, said the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic showed how information can spread rapidly and from very unlikely sources. When there is no response negative messages can take hold, he said.

One of the barriers to embracing new technologies is the mindset of people in health authorities, industry and scientific institutions, Weiss said.

Mr Weiss was speaking to Vaccines Today at a conference on immunisation policy hosted by Fondation Merieux.

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