Foursqaure, MTV Offer Sexual Health Check-In Badge

Posted by: Russell Herder // August 31st, 2010


Foursqaure, MTV Offer Sexual Health Check-In Badge 


Social media and healthcare are taking wide strides
to cover as much area in digital as quickly as possible. The online world is
not only an obvious sign of the times, but a healthcare necessity. And while
Foursquare may seem like a back-burner when it comes to social-media giants, in
collaboration with MTV, they have created a clinic/hospital check-in to get
young people tested for STDs. The Associated Press article, Foursquare, MTV to
reward STD checkups with badge, notes how anyone can get tested and receive an
online symbol from Foursquare noting they checked in and were healthy. Even
though this is only one facet of overall health, sexual health remains a
constant concern, so it only behooves us to congratulate Foursquare and MTV on
their innovation.

@KyleGWilson

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New iPregnancy App Opens Another Health-management Door

Posted by: Russell Herder // August 18th, 2010

New iPregnancy App Opens Another Health-management Door
Has it really come to this? For some pregnant women,
thankfully yes. From eye exams to bariatric measurements, the iPhone has been
crushing its way through the competition in the healthcare field. Now, as noted
in the recent HealthTap blog, iPregnancy for iPhone, it has once again broken
new ground. Including a patient tracker, due date calendar, weight converter
and more, this app is fully-equipped to handle just about everything but the
delivery. Not only that, but the app can link up to Facebook and Twitter to
share your information with friends and family. Just one more way Apple is
integrating technology with extraordinary.

@KyleGWilson

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Can Online Help Keep the Weight Off?

Posted by: Russell Herder // August 3rd, 2010

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Weight, for the majority in America, is an ongoing struggle. Laden with statistics and associations to disease, obesity continually cracks the upper echelon of common tribulations in the American psyche. However, from WeightWatchers to JennyCraig to 24 Hour Fitness to any other hip weight loss name, it’s not like we aren’t trying. And according to a recent article by Rick Nauert, Website Helps Users Keep Off Weight, online resources may be the key in breaking the trends. In a study done by the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, people who used website weight management sites saw a marked improvement in weight loss compared to those who didn’t. And not just in the short run, as the study covered years. So if online can help someone who is pre-diabetic, obese, and/or has high blood pressure or cholesterol, isn’t it time to start building a digital healthcare plan for them?


@KyleGWilson

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Chances of Living Longer Increase 50 Percent with Friends

Posted by: Russell Herder // August 2nd, 2010

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I would bet several (if not all) of the people that read this blog have friends. And as a recent BYU study reveals, that’s not only good for your social calendar, but your biological clock. Among its findings, BYU found that relationships improve one’s chances of survival by 50 percent because of reasons ranging from “a calming touch to finding meaning in life.” On the other hand, low social interaction was comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, being an alcoholic, and not exercising, and is twice as harmful as obesity. You may not always realize it, but simply having friends puts a smile on your face and helps keep it there longer. Just one more reason to be thankful for the people we choose to share our life with.


@KyleGWilson

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Where Are Health Brands and Social Media Going?

Posted by: Russell Herder // April 27th, 2010

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Recently, countless discussions have centered on the impact that social media has, and will continue to have, on the health care industry as more organizations, as well as medical personnel, become engaged. The following article, The Future of Health Brands and Social Media, features the University of Maryland Medical System’s director of web strategy who offers his perspective on several issues pertaining to organizational involvement in the social media world, including key challenges that health care organizations may face and what a brand must do in order to continue to thrive in the future.

Has your health care organization integrated social media into its marketing efforts? If so, what steps have been taken and proven to be most successful? 

- Claire Sychowski

Image Credit – Web Advertising Technology Blog

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