Describe the benefits/advantages and challenges/risks of using social media for public health communication.

Social media channels are designed to be engaging; however, these media are often used by public health organizations and practitioners as a means to disseminate mass information, rather than to engage audiences in meaningful interaction. Harnessing social media to best achieve public health outcomes is a topic of much discussion and study in the public health community.

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For this assignment, you will analyze public health communication via social media in your community. Follow a public health organization, local or national, on a social media channel (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for at least 3 weeks. In a paper of 1,000-1,250 words, address the following:

1. Describe the benefits/advantages and challenges/risks of using social media for public health communication.

2. Describe the organization you followed and the social media channel you selected. What kind of information is shared on social media by the organization?

3. To what degree does the organization engage with users/followers (e.g., responding to questions, engaging in conversation, hosting “chats” with experts, soliciting information)?

4. What improvements or suggestions would you make to this organization regarding its social media engagement? Why?

Use at least three scholarly sources to support your paper.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide.