Online Technologies for Health Information and Education: A Literature Review

Abstract

There is a growing body of research focused on the use of social media and Internet technologies for health education and information sharing. The authors reviewed literature on this topic, with a specific focus on the benefits and concerns associated with using online social technologies as health education and communication tools. Studies suggest that social media technologies have the potential to safely and effectively deliver health education if privacy concerns are addressed. Utility of social media-based health education and communication will improve as technology developers and public health officials determine ways to improve information accuracy and address privacy concerns.

KEYWORDS:

• Internet
• health education
• health communication
• privacy
• social media technologies

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Harkiran K. Gill

Harkiran K. Gill, MPH, BS ([email protected]) is at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY.

Navkiranjit Gill

Navkiranjit Gill, BS ([email protected]) is at University of California, Los Angeles.

Sean D. Young

Sean D. Young, PhD, MS ([email protected]) is at Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10880 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90024.