Report Evaluates Role of Social Media in Chronic Disease Care

A new report from the eHealth Initiative finds that social media could help alleviate the burden of chronic disease on the U.S. health care system. However, the report notes that several challenges -- including privacy concerns, gaps in social media adoption and the quality of online information -- must be addressed. Government Health IT, eHI release. Read More

For the report, researchers conducted a literature review, as well as an environmental scan that included case studies and interviews.
The California HealthCare Foundation provided support for the report. CHCF publishes iHealthBeat.
The report found that social media can help individuals with chronic diseases:

• Achieve personal goals;
• Correct high-risk behavior; and
• Better manage their conditions.

It also noted that social media tools offer a unique social network of support, motivation and education.
However, the report identified several challenges that must be addressed to fully leverage social media in chronic disease care, including:

• Balancing transparency and anonymity;
• Concerns about privacy and HIPAA compliance;
• The digital divide among elderly and minority populations; and
• Quality, validity and authenticity of online information.