Hashtag Stay Healthy: Digital Media for Health Communication

The historical growth and current state of the capabilities of new or digital technology can undeniably contribute to a better dialogue on health to analyse. With the use of these ubiquitously used platforms and devices promising to be an effective means for improving health promotion among increasingly digitally connected populations, this chapter analyses their effectiveness as a tool or vehicle for communication. It does so by systematically examining aspects, current use and capabilities of these emerging technological innovations (e.g., wearable (digital) health devices, mobile platforms) to determine whether and/or how communication strategies are targeted effectively (or at all) to specific contexts or among different target groups. Drawing on debates whether social media increase health-seeking behaviour and discourse, it appraises the status and outlook of applications of digital health communication as a tool that can engage more people in participating in communicating about healthy behaviours, and a means to use digital health-behaviour–change programmes. It concludes with three aspects where the effective use of technology can assist with the work of the health communicator.