COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION

Activities: Research to Practice

Reaching & Impacting New Audiences Through the Latest Social Media Channels

In 2008 NIOSH enhanced its leadership role within the public health community by implementing Web 2.0 applications. These applications provide opportunities for NIOSH researchers to truly engage with audiences in ways unimaginable just a few years ago. The Web 2.0 revolution is as much about changing communication culture as it is about using social networking sites, such as MySpace, Facebook, Wikipedia, Flickr, Twitter, and blogs, to reach diverse audiences with safety and health information.

NIOSH Science Blog
The first truly external blog at CDC-provides NIOSH with an opportunity to engage in scientific discussions with its partners and the public. In June 2009, the blog included 44 unique topics and has generated more than 400 comments. Since its inception, the blog has been visited more than 100,000 times. In 2008 it averaged 156 visits per day and has risen to 245 visits per day from 01/01/09-05/27/09

Reaching Volunteer Firefighters through MySpace

Launched in the fall of 2008 to reach volunteer fire fighters and fire departments with NIOSH information related to fire fighter health, safety and fatalities, such as Fire Fighter Investigation Reports. A blog is also featured to encourage feedback from the community on fire safety-topics such as "Improved Criteria for Emergency Medical Protective Clothing" and "Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program". In August 2009 over 500 friends on joined our Fire Fighter Page.

NIOSH Flickr
Flickr is an image and video hosting website, web services suite, and online community platform. It was one of the earliest Web 2.0 applications. In Spring 2008 NIOSH developed a flickr site. As of August 2009 NIOSH posted 235 photos. Almost 40 flickr users have marked one of our photos as their "favorite." We have never "marketed" our flickr page. Our photos have been added to eight groups including ones called "Fishing Envy," "Road Rules Around the World," and "Safety Guru." This means are photos are included in groups where others interested in these topics may also find them. 31 people have added NIOSH as a "Contact" which means they are notified when we add new photos.

For related success stories please visit r2p in Action page.