Last week was a great occasion for me because I got to meet one of the people that I hold in very high regard, the wonderful Nedra Weinreich! As a little background on Nedra, she has been involved in social marketing communications for over 10 years now with her own firm Weinreich Communications out in Los Angeles, CA. I have been a huge fan of Nedra’s ever since i began reading her Spare Change blog and learning more about social marketing.
I organized a meeting with Nedra since she was going to be in the Washington DC area for her Social Marketing University seminar that she is teaching. You can imagine how thrilled I was when I found out she wanted to meet up! Since she wanted to meet with some local bloggers, we decided to set up a Facebook page for the event to get the word out. We had some great people in attendance including Qui, James, the DC Social Butterfly, Tambra Stevenson of Creative Cause/Postcards for Katrina and even my colleague from NMS, Sam Huxley.
Apart from getting to know each other over appetizers and drinks, we delved into discussion about social marketing and creating changes in our community. The evening went extremely well and I couldn’t have asked for a better “real life” interaction with one of the greats!
I really love the folks over at Common Craft! I was over at the Creative Connects blog and saw this video explaining what social media is through creative storytelling. A while ago, I wrote about how Common Craft helped people understand Twitter - they are just awesome!
Notice the story is about people…that is what it’s all about.
Social Media in Plain English from leelefever on Vimeo.
I had the wonderful opportunity to be interviewed by a great blogger writing on the effectiveness of social marketing. Social Butterfly asked me some questions that got me thinking about what inspirations me and motivates me to continue writing my own blog and making changes in our world.
Before I get too sappy, I just wanted to mention that the community that I have come to be a part of in the blogosphere has really added value to my life and my way of thinking. Here is my interview!
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Well, you can! Andre and others will be attending HealthCamp MD in Owings, Maryland on Saturday, June 14, 2008. HealthCamp MD is being hosted by Mark Scrimshire at EKIVE. To learn more about the event, check out its wiki here. Sign up now while delegate and sponsorship spots are still available.
I recently got the opportunity to meet Andre through a Social Marketing Meetup he planned in Washington D.C. with Nedra Weinreich of the blog Spare Change. Thus, I nominated him for this week’s Blogger Neighborhood, as he too values both online and offline exchange. Enjoy!
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Blog Name: Pulse and Signal
Blog Topics: Health Communication, Health Education, Social Media, Personal Technology, Consumer Behavior
About the Author: Andre Blackman graduated with a degree in Public and Community Health in 2005 but has had a passion for science/technology ever since he could remember. He loves to meet new, interesting people and think about ways to make the world just a little better. He is a firm believer in the power of people coming together for a common good and is interested in using social technologies to improve the health of others through better health communications. I use Twitter a lot (follow me @mindofandre).
If you could live on any street, what would that street be named and why?
Changemaker Lane, I want to live on a street that continually reminds me of what I should have done that day as I leave and as I come home.
Who would be your dream real-life neighbor?
I have a few but at the moment, Tiger Woods. He is focused, a family man and he runs an awesome foundation that I hope to emulate.
What first prompted you to blog?
After nearly 2 years of reading blogs and thinking about both health and technology, I decided to take the leap and start writing those thoughts down. Not too long into the blogging, I started making great friends through online communication tools and that continued to fuel my excitement for blogging!
If you customized your own license plate, what would it say and why?
URWRLD - in this day and age more than ever people have the opportunities to fulfill their dreams and achieve their personal goals…it’s your world.
What would you gift to a new neighbor as the perfect welcoming gift?
A REAL list of best places to eat and attractions in the town/city to visit. You know the corporate ones lie sometimes!
What’s your favorite blog post and why?
It would probably be when I wrote “The Importance of Sleep in the Wired Generation.” This was one of the first posts I wrote that got decent attention and even the Sleep Foundation chimed in on the comments section. It was important to me because of what I saw happening to a couple people I knew (including myself!) when trying to keep up with all the social media buzz and Web events. You barely get sleep! And lack of sleep has some detrimental effects.
What’s one lesson you’ve learned from blogging?
The importance of interacting with others - the more you comment and make genuine relationships with others, the more you get back, probably even more so.
Past Blogger Neighbors Include:
- Osocio @ Osocio, nominated by SocialButterfly
- Beth Kanter @ Beth’s Blog, nominated by SocialButterfly
- Beth Dunn @ Small Dots, nominated by Beth Kanter
- Len Edgerly @ LenEdgerly.com, nominated by Beth Dunn
- Stacey Monk @ Epic Change, nominated by the Twitter-verse
- Jason Dick @ A Small Change, nominated by Stacey Monk
- Roger Carr @ Everyday Giving, nominated by Jason Dick
- …and now Andre Blackman, nominated by SocialButterfly
This continuous weekly series highlights different blogs and their respective bloggers in the blogosphere neighborhood. Following the great Mr. Rogers, who tells us to ‘Get to know your neighbor,’ this series introduces us to our blogger neighbors, making for a more unified, collaborative voice for the social sector. Like to nominate someone or be featured yourself? Contact me @ socialbutterfly4change@gmail.com.
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Thanks again SocialButterfly!
Last week I came across an interesting organization called the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation, which deals with connecting science and communications for the betterment of consumer health. According to the Foundation’s website:
IFIC’s purpose is to bridge the gap between science and communications by collecting and disseminating scientific information on food safety, nutrition and health and by working with an extensive roster of scientific experts and through partnerships to help translate research into understandable and useful information for opinion leaders and ultimately, consumers.
Last week, IFIC had a webcast going over the findings from their recent 3rd Annual IFIC Foundation Food & Health Survey: Consumer Attitudes Toward Food & Health. You can see the re-broadcast of the webcast here.
I was very happy that I found out about this event because it really opened my eyes up to consumer thoughts on what they were eating. I took a Consumer Behavior class in college while getting my Public Health degree and I learned a ton about what influences our decisions on what we put in our mouths. In an a society where some thing might be good for you one month and detrimental to your health in another, it’s important to look at these trends.
In the health communications world, it is vital to understand what “clicks” with target audiences. One of the points covered during the webinar was the Food Pyramid - where have YOU seen the MyPyramid chart?
Now what do these results tell you? Especially the last place people have seen it…right, they haven’t. That means we have to do a better job of getting this information out to the general public. In mid 2005, the new MyPyramid.gov website was launched with intentions to upgrade the aging symbol of what we should eat. Unfortunately, since then, it doesn’t appear that the website has done much in the way of changing minds on nutrition. A great point was made by Andy Carvin on this issue soon after the launching of the website.
However, other messages are becoming relatively clear for many Americans. See below for what I mean:
Maybe we need to take another look at where people are seeing their health information? Those MyPyramid.gov survey results have me thinking about not only the importance of relevant health communications but another interest of mine, in closing the digital divide. What’s the point in having all of these web technologies if the people who need it, don’t get it? Literally and figuratively…
To see more of the slides from the IFIC Foundation Webcast as well as past surveys, check out the website.
Not too long ago while I was catching up on my mountain of RSS feeds in Google Reader, I was perusing one of my favorite health-related blogs, DiabetesMine. I really enjoy reading DiabetesMine, authored by the wonderful Amy Tenderich, mainly because she has successfully created a community around those living with diabetes. Earlier this year when Amy got some time in the spotlight, it really started my brain motors turning about how we can spread the word about health issues in society and how people who are passionate about seeing change can catch the interest of many.
Amy is doing that again with the 2nd Annual DiabetesMine™ Design Challenge. She writes:
“[the] competition [is] designed to foster innovation in diabetes design and encourage creative new tools that will improve life with diabetes.”
The great part about this competition is that it incorporates many different elements related to the improvement of technology focused on helping people stay healthy and having the upper hand when it comes to handling their diabetes.
This contest is no small event either - it’s being supported by MedGadget, (Internet journal focused on highlighting emerging medical technologies), world famous design firm IDEO and probably most importantly, by 2 young brothers who have been living with Type 1 diabetes and are eager to see some changes in technology. And if the idea of being able to enter your design into this potentially industry changing opportunity doesn’t urge you enough, there are also other very nice prizes:
Two of the most enticing design concepts will win a package of prizes to help further their creative efforts: $1,000 in cash, some pro-bono professional advice from world-renowned design experts, and free access to the next Health 2.0 conference for one adult winner.
Please take some time to think about how you can contribute - submit your idea, spread the word! This is absolutely the epitome of how I want to help change the health world. Let’s add in excitement, innovation, design, passion, technology and social media! Let’s gather our minds and great ideas together so that we can live comfortable and QUALITY lives!
As you all know, I’m all about making use of emerging web technologies to further health communications. One of the most useful web tools that I have grown completely enamored with is Twitter, the micro-blogging platform that has become useful in many different ways.
My awesome health sciences librarian friend P.F. Anderson, recently conducted a demo of Twitter’s usefulness in the health arena. The parts on Twitter being used for activism and exercise really put a smile on my face! I’m pretty sure as time goes on, more uses will emerge, especially for health communications.
Patricia also blogs about emerging technologies at Emerging Technologies Librarian, which is also on my blogroll
A few months ago with one of my early blog posts, I highlighted a new innovation in personal computing, the Asus EEE PC. Taking one look at this small, laptop-lookalike, I began thinking about its usefulness in our personal lives as well as a practical tool for “doing good” - similar to the XO Laptop. Other than wanting poverty to be reduced and people to have quality shelter and food, I want people to be informed. Much of the questions on anything you may have can be found on the Web - I’m passionate about leveling the field and closing the digital divide and I truly believe that increasingly mobile technology can help to achieve that.
One of my Twitter buddies, Sam Harrelson, popped up on my radar as an actual owner of one of these machines. I asked him if he would be kind enough to do a review of the EEE PC and he happily agreed. Now, with all of the emerging web technology coming out every few months (literally), I asked if he had video recording capabilities because, let me tell you, I’m loving the usefulness of video these days. Lucky for me (and you) he did! Here are the questions I asked him:
1) What initially attracted you to the EEE PC? Were there certain computing needs that you felt it fulfilled?
2) One of the most obvious aspects of the computer is its size – what are the pros and cons of the EEE PC’s mobility (e.g. wi-fi access, portability, etc.)?
3) Based on your experience with the computer, what sort of users do you think would most benefit from what it offers? All ages?
4) In one of my first few blog posts, I wrote on how the PC could be used for “good” initiatives, e.g. health communication campaigns – what do you think the possible benefits of smaller computers can have to help close the digital divide?
5) What recommendations would you give for anyone interested in purchasing an EEE PC?
And without further ado…
Thanks again Sam!
Today’s second tip for women’s health has to do with calcium, bone health and osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens bones to the point where they break easily. Hip, spine (backbone) and wrist bones are often involved. It is called a “silent disease” because bone loss happens without much notice. Having a bone break easily or getting a little shorter is often the first sign of this disease. While osteoporosis can strike at any age, over half of all women over age 65 have it.*
This video, created by Vie Fitness introduces the basics to osteoporosis prevention:
So to recap the ways in which you ladies can prevent osteoporosis:
- Exercise! (mainly weight bearing activities like walking, low impact aerobics and dancing)
- Increased calcium and Vitamin D consumption
- Cut out excessive drinking and smoking
- Regular checkups with your doctor
*Information from the National Women’s Health Information Center
(Due to Internet technical difficulties, this first tip is a day late - look for the second tip later today)
Whether you are newly pregnant or are thinking about starting a family, getting the proper nutrition is vital to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. One of the important nutrients in a healthy pregnancy is folic acid.
Get 400 micrograms (or 0.4 mg) of folic acid daily. Eat foods fortified with folic acid, take a multivitamin, or take a folic acid pill to get your daily dose. Taking folic acid in a pill is the best way to be sure you’re getting enough. Including 0.4 mgof folic acid (or folate) in your diet before you get pregnant and in the first three months of pregnancy can help prevent some birth defects. If you don’t get enough folic acid, your baby’s spine may not form right. This is called spina bifida (spy-nuh bif-uh-duh). Also, your baby needs folic acid to develop a healthy brain. Many doctors will prescribe a vitamin with folic acid. But you also can buy vitamins or folic acid pills at drug and grocery stores. Some foods rich in folate include: leafy green vegetables, kidney beans, orange juice and other citrus fruits, peanuts, broccoli, asparagus, peas, lentils, and whole-grain products. Folic acid is also added to some foods like enriched breads, pastas, rice and cereals.
Enjoy National Women’s Health Week! For more information, please see the National Women’s Health Information Center
Hello ladies! I wanted to let you know that today (Mother’s Day - how fitting) is the start of National Women’s Health Week! That’s right, an entire week devoted to ensuring that you stay healthy and knowledgeable about the things that impact your health.
To kick off this week’s event, the Department of Health and Human Services along with the National Women’s Health Information Center, is sponsoring the 5th Annual WOMAN Challenge! The 8 week challenge is designed to encourage women and girls to walk 10,000 steps or engage in 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Women can choose to walk one of six “virtual routes” across the country.
What I love about this challenge is that it really gives all who want to participate the tools to succeed and get encouraged - through emails and opportunities to share successes. Also there is the opportunity to join or create teams so that you have others around you to share in the motivation. That is what improving your health is all about, staying continually encouraged and motivated to do what’s best for yourself.
I want everyone to understand that it is always in your reach to attain goals of good health! They always say knowledge is power right? That’s why I absolutely love what can be achieved through the Web - it’s information at your fingertips that can be applied to our lives and that’s my aim with Pulse & Signal. This is especially true for all the women out there who are multitasking with all sorts of things to take care of - take time out for yourself and your well-being.
In honor of National Women’s Health Week and the WOMAN Challenge, I am going to post a series of women-focused health tips each day from Monday to Friday and do a wrap up on Saturday. Check back here everyday to get some information that you might not have known about women’s health.
For more information, please visit the websites for the WOMAN Challenge and National Women’s Health Week.
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