Hidden in plain sight: a crowdsourced public art contest to make automated external defibrillators more visible.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to explore the feasibility of using a crowdsourcing study to promote awareness about automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and their locations. METHODS: The Defibrillator Design Challenge was an online initiative that asked the public to create educational designs that would enhance AED visibility, which took place over 8 weeks, from February 6, 2014, to April 6, 2014. Participants were encouraged to vote for AED designs and share designs on social media for points. Using a mixed-methods study design, we measured participant demographics and motivations, design characteristics, dissemination, and Web site engagement. RESULTS: Over 8 weeks, there were 13 992 unique Web site visitors; 119 submitted designs and 2140 voted. The designs were shared 48 254 times on Facebook and Twitter. Most designers-voters reported that they participated to contribute to an important cause (44%) rather than to win money (0.8%). Design themes included: empowerment, location awareness, objects (e.g., wings, lightning, batteries, lifebuoys), and others. CONCLUSIONS: The Defibrillator Design Challenge engaged a broad audience to generate AED designs and foster awareness. This project provides a framework for using design and contest architecture to promote health messages.

A survey: Understanding the health and perspectives of people with CF not benefiting from CFTR modulators.

BACKGROUND: While the advent of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator use has improved daily life and long-term prognosis of CF for many with approved CFTR mutations, approximately 10% of people with CF (pwCF) have only symptomatic treatments available. METHODS: Between June 10 and July 1, 2021, Emily's Entourage distributed a 38-question anonymous survey targeted at pwCF not benefitting from approved modulators via social media and email to pwCF and CF advocacy groups in and outside the United States regarding health status, impact of CF, unmet needs, and clinical research interest. RESULTS: There were 431 survey respondents representing pwCF on five continents. The majority of pwCF had moderate lung disease (50.3%). Ineligibility based on CFTR mutation (64.1%) was the most frequently reported reason pwCF were not on modulators. PwCF reported the most impacted aspects of life were mental (66.7%) and physical (40.7%) health. Financial concerns and feelings of isolation were commonly reported. Witnessing improvements for peers with access to modulators was both uplifting and disheartening. The majority of pwCF would be interested in participating in future clinical research (77.6%), although some living outside of the United States cited lack of opportunity to participate in clinical trials as a barrier. CONCLUSIONS: PwCF who are ineligible, intolerant, or lack access to modulators have a high burden of disease impacting their physical and mental health. Although most are happy for those who are benefiting from modulators, they are eager for the opportunity to experience similar improvements for themselves, and willing to participate in clinical trials of new therapies.

How U.S. children's hospitals use social media: A mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Social media provide new channels for hospitals to engage with communities, a goal of increasing importance as non-profit hospitals face stricter definitions of community benefit under the Affordable Care Act. We describe the variability in social media presence among US children's hospitals and the distribution of their Facebook content curation. METHODS: Social media data from freestanding children's hospitals were extracted from September-November 2013. Social media adoption was reviewed for each hospital-generated Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+ and Pinterest platform. Facebook page (number of Likes) and Twitter account (number of followers) engagement were examined by hospital characteristics. Facebook posts from each hospital over a 6-week period were thematically characterized. RESULTS: We reviewed 5 social media platforms attributed to 45 children's hospitals and 2004 associated Facebook posts. All hospitals maintained Facebook and Twitter accounts and most used YouTube (82%), Google+ (53%) and Pinterest (69%). Larger hospitals were more often high performers for Facebook (67% versus 10%, p<0.01) and Twitter (75% versus 17%, p<0.05) engagement than small hospitals. The most common Facebook post-themes were hospital promotion 35% (706), education and information 35% (694), community partnership or benefit 24% (474), fundraising 21% (426), and narratives 12% (241). Of health education posts, 73% (509) provided pediatric health supervision and anticipatory guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Social media adoption by US children's hospitals was widespread. IMPLICATIONS: Beyond its traditional marketing role, social media can serve as a conduit for health education, engagement with communities, including community benefit.

Does adolescent media use cause obesity and eating disorders?

In this article we examine media use and its relationship to adolescent overweight/obesity and adolescent eating disorders. We consider the potential mechanisms through which exposure to media during adolescence (both amount of time and choice of content) might exacerbate unhealthy eating and physical activity patterns. We consider strategies that health care providers can use to identify problematic media use and suggestions they might offer to adolescents and their parents for ways to make media a more positive agent in young people's healthy development.