Do Zombies Tweet?

Things to know about social media before the zombie

apocalypse

Michelle M. Forman

Senior Specialist, Media APHL

Who breaks the news?

Who breaks the news?

Social Media Changed the Game

845 million active users

140 million active users

At the moment the Japan earthquake occurred

Within one hour after the quake

Information made public in an instant

Average age of adult social media users: • 59% of internet users use at least one social network • Average internet user has 669 social ties (not just online) – average non-user has 506

Hampton, K., Goulet, L., Rainie, L., & Purcell, K. (2011) Social Networking Sites and Our Lives: How people’s trust, personal relationships, and civic and political involvement are connected to their use of social networking sites and other technologies. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Technology- and-social-networks.aspx

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Who are these millions of people?

“…while it's hard to pinpoint how many potential illnesses or deaths were prevented, it's safe to say that far more people were aware of the dangers of Salmonella-tainted peanut butter thanks to the social media efforts of these agencies.”

-Rick Turoczy, ReadWriteWeb.com

In 2009…

In 2012… • CDC has 41 Twitter accounts – Dr. Frieden hosts Tweet chats on various health topics • USDA has 10 Twitter accounts and the Food Safety Information Service now has a Twitter accounts for every single state where consumers can get immediate updates that are specific to their region • FDA has 10 Twitter accounts including one specifically for recall information • HHS has 29 Twitter accounts including one specifically for information on flu • All four agencies have Facebook pages, blogs and make use of other social tools

What about health departments?

• 56% of state and 53% of local health departments use Facebook to communicate

• 180 local, state and regional health agencies use Twitter to communicate

Currie, Donya. “More health departments nationwide embracing social media: Use of tools rises.” Retrieved May 4, 2012 from

http://thenationshealth.aphapublications.org/content/42/4/1.2.full

Contra Costa County Public Health Dept

Washington Department of Health

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Salmonella in dog

food: Info on the

recall and how to avoid

getting sick

Learn how to protect yourself from tick

and mosquito

bites

Be Prepared! Don’t wait for a

crisis to be sure that everyone knows you

Who are you?

What do you

do?

What if I have more questions?

How do I find you?

Why is it important that you’re around?

Are you always working? Or only in a

crisis?