Using Social Media to tackle the threats to Global Health - NCDs

The World Health Organization (n.d) published an article on the threats to Global Health in 2019 which included air pollution and climate change, noncommunicable diseases, global influenza pandemic, fragile and vulnerable settings, antimicrobial resistance, ebola and other high-threat pathogens, weak primary health care, vaccine hesitancy, dengue, and HIV. Since then many other threats have emerged such as climate change-related disasters, the Ukraine conflict, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.?

The population's involvement is essential to addressing these threats. The population must take responsibility for their world, and the first step to getting them involved is to raise awareness. A strong social media strategy is an excellent way to raise awareness among the population. In the weeks to come, we will discuss how each of the threats can be addressed using social media strategies.

The Global Burden of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

The World Health Organization (2022) reported that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year and this amounts to 74% of all deaths globally. NCDs, such as heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, are the leading causes of death worldwide. Non-communicable diseases jeopardize the progress made at achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of reducing the probability of death from NCDs between ages 30 and 70 years by one-third by 2030.?

The global burden of NCDs needs to be reiterated especially in the digital space where a large portion of the world’s population can be reached. 59.9% of the global population uses social media according to Search Engine Journal (Nyst, 2023). Strategic social media initiatives can help reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases globally. If the prevalence and dangers of NCDs are being strategically communicated to the target population, the population may be influenced to adopt health protective behaviors.

Targeting Modifiable Risk Factors for Health Promotion Initiatives

Behavioral change campaigns can be conducted to initiate adopting healthy practices. Content on the importance of doing exercise, eating healthy, reducing alcohol consumption, and cessation of smoking can trigger change in health risk behaviors. Social media platforms are excellent tools for raising awareness about NCDs. Organizations, health professionals, and individuals can share information, statistics, and facts about NCDs, their risk factors, and prevention strategies.?

Engaging content like infographics, videos, and articles can help educate a large and diverse audience. Engaging local influencers and celebrities to create health trends can also promote health. TikTok trends of checking one's blood pressure for example can influence the population to do the same, as many people who are hypertensive are actually unaware they have this condition. This may potentially be a life-saving initiative where new cases of hypertension can be discovered and treated.

Influencing Policies to Tackle NCDs

Social media allows organizations and individuals to advocate for policies that promote NCD prevention and control. Through platforms like Twitter, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn, advocates can rally support for initiatives such as sugar taxes, smoke-free zones, and improved access to healthy foods.?

Management of NCDs drains health care costs, especially in low and middle-income communities. Prevention by adopting healthier lifestyles will improve quality of life and will definitely be more cost-effective from a financial point of view. This should influence policies as social media interventions can be placed at the forefront of initiatives. Regular engagement with such content may influence the adoption of healthy behaviors.

Conclusion

Social media interventions have the potential to promote health through strategic health communication which will engage the population in developing health-protective behaviors. This in the long run will reduce the prevalence of NCDs and in turn will reduce NCD-related deaths.

References

Nyst A. (2033) ‘134 Social Media Statistics You Need To Know For 2023’, Search Engine Journal, Available at: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media-statistics/480507/#close

World Health Organisation (n.d) Ten threats to global health in 2019, Available at:

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019

World Health Organization (2022) Noncommunicable diseases. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases