Maximizing Community Building: Leveraging an Integrative Social Media Strategy to Increase Worker Health and Safety

Background: The author lost her husband to mesothelioma and co-founded the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization She is a prolific international speaker, passionate public health advocate, and experienced new media innovator using social media to educate, advocate, and advance community initiatives to promote disease prevention.

Methods: The evolution of the internet and the proliferation of social networks for sharing information have changed the face of modern interaction. New media forums including websites, blogs, social networking sites, mobile communications and more have given organizations powerful and dynamic opportunities to interact with the public, share information, and grow. The benefits are numerous: the ability to reach a larger and more diverse audience faster, easier, and cheaper; the centralization of educational information and resources; the transition from one-sided messaging to public interaction; the empowering of individuals to take action; and the ability for individuals to be a part of a larger community of hope and support.

This presentation will examine how the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), a leading asbestos victims' voice worldwide, has harnessed this power to further education, advocacy, and community initiatives around the world. Examples will include simple, effective, affordable, and replicable methods of communication using new media, and how these kinds of initiatives are giving organizations revolutionary advancements in the ability to reach, educate, and help as many people as possible.

Conclusion: Recommendations will be offered on the ways that international agencies and organizations can maximize new media to strengthen communication and collaboration to protect public health.