 |
The anti-vax movement is more active than ever before. Every individual has the right to self-determination, but when personal decisions put others at risk and create a public health threat, the stakes are higher.
This month’s E-News Exclusive reports on efforts to discover and analyze the social media and online information accessible to get to the roots of the anti-vax thought process. Dismissing different beliefs—even if unfounded—is not going to help bridge the anti-vax gap. Read more and learn strategies to respectfully address those beliefs.
We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website at www.SocialWorkToday.com, like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter.
— Marianne Mallon, editor |
 |
 |
Bridging the Anti-Vax Gap — Helping Parents Navigate Anti-Vax Social Media and Online Information
By Lindsey Getz
The anti-vaccination movement has been called one of the greatest health crises of our time. Others have called it a regression in modern medicine. However, it’s a crisis that doesn’t appear to be going away. In fact, there are reasons to believe that it may be growing. The number of pediatricians reporting vaccine refusal has increased significantly; the most common reason cited is the belief that vaccines are unnecessary. With social media providing an easy channel to spread these messages, it can be difficult to get a grasp on the information that is influencing consumers. This underlines the importance of better understanding what’s fueling these beliefs.
A viral Facebook campaign against a Pittsburgh pediatric practice recently created the ideal opportunity for researchers to study the anti-vaccination movement and hopefully come to a better understanding of what’s behind it. In 2017, Kids Plus Pediatrics posted a video on its Facebook page that featured practitioners encouraging human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccinations to prevent cancer. Nearly a month after the video posted, it caught the attention of multiple anti-vaccination groups. In an eight-day period, it garnered thousands of anti-vaccination comments.
This was discouraging to the practice, says Todd Wolynn, MD, CEO of Kids Plus Pediatrics. But it also created an opportunity to understand what was driving these beliefs. The research, led by Beth Hoffman, BSc, involved partnering a team of scientists at the Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health with Kids Plus Pediatrics to perform a systematic analysis to better understand the people behind the comments and how they cluster in the digitally connected world of social media.
Full story » |
|
 |
 |
|
Your Circle of Friends, Not Your Fitbit, Is More Predictive of Your Health
Wearable fitness trackers have made it all too easy for us to make assumptions about our health. We may look to our heart rate to determine whether we really felt the stress of that presentation at work this morning, or think ourselves healthier based on the number of steps we’ve taken by the end of the day.
But to get a better reading on your overall health and wellness, you’d be better off looking at the strength and structure of your circle of friends, according to a new study in the Public Library of Science journal, PLOS One.
While previous studies have shown how beliefs, opinions, and attitudes spread throughout our social networks, researchers at the University of Notre Dame were interested in what the structure of social networks says about the state of health, happiness, and stress.
“We were interested in the topology of the social network: ‘What does my position within my social network predict about my health and well-being?’” says Nitesh V. Chawla, PhD, Frank M. Freimann Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Notre Dame, director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Network Science and Applications, and a lead author of the study. “What we found was the social network structure provides a significant improvement in predictability of wellness states of an individual over just using the data derived from wearables, like the number of steps or heart rate.”
Read more » |
|
 |
Have
a product, service, or educational program you want to market to social work professionals,
or an open position that you need to fill quickly? Social
Work Today offers many flexible advertising
programs designed to maximize your results. From print advertising
to e-newsletter sponsorships, website advertising to direct
mail opportunities, Social Work Today helps achieve your goals. Email our experienced
account executives today for more information or call 800-278-4400!
Coming up in our September/October 2019 issue is our Education Spotlight. Email a sales representative to be part of this unique advertising opportunity.
Jobs.AlliedHealthCareers.com is the premier online resource to recruit social work professionals.
Post your open positions, view résumés, and showcase your facility's
offerings all at Jobs.AlliedHealthCareers.com! |
|
|
|
 |
Cannabis Conundrums — Dissecting Policy Changes
As cannabis policy changes, many legal, clinical, and social justice questions arise. What are the issues and how can ethical social workers respond? Read more »
Sports Gambling: Here, There, and Everywhere — Increasing Risk for Gambling Addiction
Legal sports betting will present greater risks for individuals already affected by problem gambling and those who may be especially vulnerable to intense marketing campaigns and newly available outlets. Read more » |
 |
 |
Oregon and Utah Laws Will Allow Students Mental Health Day Option
The New York Times reports on new legislation in two states that will encourage students to care for their mental health.
Kentucky Juvenile Justice Changes Reflect Evidence That Tough Approach Doesn’t Work
According to NPR, Kentucky’s status offenses policy will soon reflect a shift away from punishment as evidence shows it is ineffective.
No Evidence Video Games or Mental Illness Cause Mass Shootings
The Washington Post reports well-established research that shows no direct connection between mental Illness or video games and mass shootings. |
|
 |
 |
A Secure, Anonymous Résumé Bank
Job Alerts Sent to Your E-mail |
|
 |
| Social workers care about their clients, but rarely do they have time to care about themselves. Show yourself a little appreciation with field-inspired gear from our Gift Shop. We've got the perfect item for every situation from busy days in the office to at-home visits. Check out our secure online shop today or call toll-free 877-809-1659 for easy and fast ordering. |
|
|
