Social Media News and Research

Latest Social Media News and Research

People increasingly using Reddit to 'diagnose' STDs

A new study reveals that people are sharing images of their genitalia on social media in the hope of getting their sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed by others. This disturbing news not only points at rise in STIs but also misconceptions and lack of motivation to seek authentic medical advice say researchers. The study was published this week in the latest issue of the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).

6 Nov 2019

UNLV psychologist shares practical ways to overcome the holiday stress

Charlie Brown might have said it best as he opined to his pal, Linus: "Christmas is coming, but I'm not happy. I don't feel the way I'm supposed to feel."

4 Nov 2019

Twitter use could predict loneliness, mental health issues

For all the rush and busyness of daily life, it gets to be very lonely, for at least 20% of people in the US. And since loneliness is a potent ingredient in the mix that produces heart disease, stroke, dementia and depression – among other health issues – it deserves a place in public health policy.

4 Nov 2019

Preterm birth has lasting consequences for children and their family

In the United States, 1 in 10 babies is born preterm, or at a gestational age of less than 37 weeks. The causes of preterm birth are complicated but the effects are clear: Preterm birth has lasting consequences for the child and their family.

4 Nov 2019

Tweets could be used to predict loneliness in Twitter users

Loneliness is estimated to affect roughly one in five adults in the United States. It also stands as a public health crisis because loneliness has been tied to depression, cardiovascular disease and dementia, among other conditions.

4 Nov 2019

Suicide reporting guidelines not followed by media when reporting a celebrity suicide death

Research shows media coverage of a celebrity suicide has the potential to increase the risk for contagion, especially among vulnerable individuals.

2 Nov 2019

Popular health campaigns aren’t always the most productive, says new study

Researchers have found that just because a public health campaign is popular among the digital community, it doesn’t mean it will produce gains in healthy behavior. This study, published in Lancet Oncology, concludes that in addition to attractive slogans or easy-to-understand captions and images, the relevance of the focused health issue to the target audience and to current guidelines may guide audience behavior.

31 Oct 2019

Internet popularity of health awareness campaigns may not always inspire action

A new study published in Lancet Oncology reveals that the internet popularity of health awareness campaigns may not always translate into a greater interest in related health behaviors.

31 Oct 2019

Portage, Geauga and Lake counties to get new drug prevention infrastructures

Kent State University's College of Public Health is teaming up with the Department of Computer Science to develop and implement drug prevention infrastructure in Portage, Geauga and Lake counties.

30 Oct 2019

Facebook takes social media into preventive health – but is it private?

Facebook’s (FB) new Preventive Health Tool has been set up to connect its users to resources and reminders for health assessments in three major areas – heart disease and stroke, cancer, and seasonal influenza – thus making it easier for FB fans to remember to look after their health as well.

29 Oct 2019

Overall time spent on social media does not increase anxiety or depression in teenagers

The amount of time teenagers spend on social networking sites has risen 62.5 percent since 2012 and continues to grow. Just last year, the average time teenagers spent on social media was estimated as 2.6 hours per day. Critics have claimed that more screen time is increasing depression and anxiety in teenagers.

23 Oct 2019

Further evidence bedtime social media use is harming teenagers

A new UK study shows that teenagers who spend 3 or more hours engaging in social media are much more likely to sleep late and to have night awakenings, among other poor sleep habits. Poor sleep in this age group is linked to obesity, poor school performance, mental ill-health, and high-risk behavior.

23 Oct 2019

Greater electronic device use linked to more consumption of added sugar, caffeine in teens

Do young teens who spend more time with TV and electronic devices drink more sugared or caffeinated drinks than others? Yes, they do, says a study of U.S. teens led by McMaster University researchers.

23 Oct 2019

A million-dollar marketing juggernaut pushes 3D mammograms

When Dr. Worta McCaskill-Stevens made an appointment for a mammogram last year, she expected a simple breast cancer screening - not a heavy-handed sales pitch.

22 Oct 2019

Nearly half of parents have declined kids' play date invitations, poll finds

The new school year often leads to playdate invitations, sometimes between families who don't know each other.

21 Oct 2019

Enhanced beverages are gaining strong market position, despite awareness of high sugar content

Enhanced beverages are gaining a strong market position, especially since consumers are seeking out products that benefit their health.

18 Oct 2019

Researchers highlight opportunities for academic institutions to achieve and maintain research integrity

One study says coffee is good for you, while another study says that it's not. They're both right, within context.

17 Oct 2019

Hawaii STD epidemic driven by social media and dating apps

There is a sharp rise in the number of cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States say health officials. Remarkable rise has been noted in Hawaii and has been attributed to the popularity of online dating and sexual intercourse with multiple partners.

15 Oct 2019

Women's voices are less influential on Twitter than male peers in academic medicine

Women who are health policy or health services researchers face a significant disparity in social media influence compared to their male peers, according to a new study from researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

14 Oct 2019

Survey provides clear of picture of how Americans are embracing healthy living

Who are Americans more likely to take health advice from…their doctors or an Instagram influencer? Would U.S. adults rather talk or text? Socialize in real life or scroll through social media? Parade magazine and Cleveland Clinic joined forces for the second year in a row to poll Americans on their adoption of health, lifestyle, fitness and diet trends and takes a look at how social media has helped move health practices that once seemed extreme into the mainstream.

11 Oct 2019