By Anita Beninger
I define social health as using digital tools to research, inform and engage in health and wellness. The social health community is growing. Today’s baby boomer population makes up the largest sector using health care services and they are socially engaged.
When I tell people about my career often they act amazed that health care organizations are using digital media. This reaction is surprising especially when a 2010 report issued by Pew Internet & American Life Project found 78% of baby boomers use the Internet for health information.
If boomers are socially active how should health care organizations join the discussion?
Some hospitals are trying new social platforms like Google+ . While Google+ is still in the testing phases, I have been evaluating the beta 1.0 version. Reading updates from bloggers, technical analysts and specialists in health care, I have found a growing number of U.S. hospitals with pages on Google+.
For the full list check out Ed Bennett’s Hospital’s on Google+ update. Research supports a growing trend of digitally connected people using health care services. How is your organization using these tools? Do you have plans to reach a specific demographic using social media? Will you join Google+ ?
Tags: ed bennett, google+ health care, hospitals
