New Media & Health Literacy: Opportunities & Challenges Ana Tellez, B.S.F.S. APTR eHealth & Policy Fellow Office of Disease Prevention & Health Promotion (ODPHP) Office of Public Health & Science U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - APHA Annual Meeting

Presentation Overview 1. New Media Trends & Themes Who’s participating in new media and how often? How can we begin to characterize the new media landscape? 2. Rising to the Challenge What are the challenges faced by limited health literacy individuals in the new media landscape? What can we do to leverage new media opportunities and meet their needs?

1. New Media Trends & Themes

Who’s participating in new media and how often?

How can we begin to characterize the new media landscape?

2. Rising to the Challenge

What are the challenges faced by limited health literacy individuals in the new media landscape?

What can we do to leverage new media opportunities and meet their needs?

Internet & New Media User Trends

Who is using the internet? 77% of adults in the U.S. use the internet Break Down: Household income of less than $30,000/yr: 62% Educational attainment of Less than High School: 37% Age between 50 and 64: 77% Black (non-Hispanic): 72% Hispanic (English-speaking): 61%

77% of adults in the U.S. use the internet

Break Down:

Household income of less than $30,000/yr: 62%

Educational attainment of Less than High School: 37%

Age between 50 and 64: 77%

Black (non-Hispanic): 72%

Hispanic (English-speaking): 61%

Who is accessing the internet on mobile devices? 32% of adults in the U.S. have used a cell phone or Smartphone to access the internet On the typical day, nearly one-fifth (19%) of Americans use the internet on a mobile device, up substantially from the 11% level recorded in December 2007.

32% of adults in the U.S. have used a cell phone or Smartphone to access the internet

On the typical day, nearly one-fifth (19%) of Americans use the internet on a mobile device, up substantially from the 11% level recorded in December 2007.

Podcasting Trends 22% of people in the U.S. (age 12+) have listened to an audio podcast 18% of people in the U.S. (age 12+) have viewed a video podcast Hosts of podcasts seen as ‘trustworthy’

22% of people in the U.S. (age 12+) have listened to an audio podcast

18% of people in the U.S. (age 12+) have viewed a video podcast

Hosts of podcasts seen as ‘trustworthy’

Social Networking Site (SNS) Trends 46% of online adult in the U.S. have a profile on a social networking site (up from 8% in 2005) As of August 2009, Facebook was the most popular online social network for adults in the U.S. (73% of adult SNS users have a Facebook account) Shift from male, highly educated, young to middle-aged, urban….TO every man and woman as diverse, if not more than internet-using population

46% of online adult in the U.S. have a profile on a social networking site (up from 8% in 2005)

As of August 2009, Facebook was the most popular online social network for adults in the U.S. (73% of adult SNS users have a Facebook account)

Shift from male, highly educated, young to middle-aged, urban….TO every man and woman as diverse, if not more than internet-using population

What about health information? 61% of American adults look online for health information A majority of “e-patients” access user-generated health information – but few are actively writing or creating new health content 38% of American adults get exercise and fitness information online (up from 21% in 2002)

61% of American adults look online for health information

A majority of “e-patients” access user-generated health information – but few are actively writing or creating new health content

38% of American adults get exercise and fitness information online (up from 21% in 2002)

What are some characteristics of the new and social media landscape ?

Interconnected

Collaborative Let’s take mash-ups as an example…. This is Por twit u r e

Collaborative Contd. Other examples include: People and organizations share news, resources, and other tips People and organizations share their presentations (i.e., PowerPoints)

Other examples include:

People and organizations share news, resources, and other tips

People and organizations share their presentations (i.e., PowerPoints)

User Generated & Niche Communities 1. From MapMyRun.com 2. To Twitter 3. To Blog

Our challenges and opportunities in leveraging new media to reach individuals with limited health literacy

Brainstorming Challenges (from session) IT barriers to accessing certain platforms Organizational barriers Necessary skills in having a ‘critical eye’ when obtaining information online Access barriers to those with low educational attainment Access barriers to those with very low incomes

IT barriers to accessing certain platforms

Organizational barriers

Necessary skills in having a ‘critical eye’ when obtaining information online

Access barriers to those with low educational attainment

Access barriers to those with very low incomes

Brainstorming Opportunities (from session) Creating more interactive content Presenting information in a variety of ways (e.g., audio, video, etc.) Low cost strategies 24/7 potential access Far reaching potential Professional information sharing potential

Creating more interactive content

Presenting information in a variety of ways (e.g., audio, video, etc.)

Low cost strategies

24/7 potential access

Far reaching potential

Professional information sharing potential

A few examples of what we’ve done Healthfinder.gov

Healthfinder.gov

A few examples of what we’ve done contd. Be Active Your Way Blog

Be Active Your Way Blog

Thank you [email_address]