265355 Low birthweight baby occurances: Can texting have an impact?

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 12:30 PM - 12:50 PM

Frederic Grant IV, PhD, MPH, PMP , Public Health Division, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Atlanta, GA
     
This session reviews the evidence supporting the effeciveness of texting as a social media-based, public health intervention. US infant mortality and low birthweight baby incidence rates are among higher than most of the developing world. The session reviews the three primary causes of low birthweight baby occurrences--inadequate maternal healthcare, poor nutrition, and smoking. It provides evidence that social media texting represents an innovation in traditional community engagement programs. A strong case is presented that social networking technology—texting—can be effective in connecting teens to information and community services. The session outcomes target improved utilization of available social services; strengthened ties and collaboration between state and local prenatal care and prenatal nutritional services; and, improved birthweight outcomes for pregnant teens.

Learning Areas:
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
List and explain the evidence supporting the ability of social media to impact low birthweight baby occurances.

Keywords: MCH Epidemiology, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Dr. Frederic (Fred) Grant is the Chief Scientist of Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Public Health Division—which provides advanced IT and business solutions for government and commercial clients including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Northrop Grumman N/A Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3221.0: Innovative Strategies for Using Social Media & Health Information Technology in Public Health