Health messaging through social media

New social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Vine, and Instagram are increasingly becoming the primary means of advertising and marketing. Individuals around the globe have been able to share, dispense, and receive information from one another to increase awareness about health-related issues. A convenience sample of 11 high school students in Tennessee were recruited to participate in a social media presence survey to obtain formative data prior to the development and dissemination of health messages, by college and graduate students utilizing social media. The survey collected information on the types of social media networking sites used, the purpose of employing those sites, and participant demographics. Preliminary findings showed that Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram were the most used social media networking sites among the high school students, with 82% believing that health messaging through social media had changed their health behavior in a positive manner. Additional research will include a random sample of 36 undergraduate and graduate students who will spread various health messages through their preferred social media with direct feedback, in order to expand social media impact. Anticipated results will suggest positive influences on the stages of change, regarding the Transtheoretical model along with effective behavioral, knowledge, and attitudinal changes as directly pertaining to the perceptions of the message distributor. The usage of social media for advertising, marketing, and circulation of health messages may indicate a positive impact on the well-being of consumers regardless of location, and may show the considerable extent of these messages on the health experience.