Tag: public health

Posted on in Career, Equity, ICTs, In the News, Mass Media, Media Advocacy

A Letter to the Editor for Advocacy

Working on a project promoting eHealth: the use of Information and Communication for Technology (ICT) for health, I realized (as I searched online newspapers) how little information there was. I decided,  therefore, to put some information out there. The opportunity came for me when local journalists uncovered a lack of security for medical records in Jamaica’s two main public hospitals in Kingston. Here, I thought, I could make a case for electronic medical records, an area in eHealth.

I decided on a letter to the editor because:

1. It would be fast.

Because a letter to the editor is a simple opinion piece, I wouldn’t have to worry about carefully validated research or including the opinions of experts (interviews). All I would have to do it write my own opinion (in half an hour) and send it to the editor.

2. It was more likely to be published. This because the letter to the editor is specifically designed for participation from the public. Also the timeliness of the issue (the fact that it was responding to a recent lead story) would help.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120421/letters/letters1.html#.T5V1__XZ6P8.twitter

The letter ended up highlighted as Letter of the Day and I received 10 comments on the online story (which is great for starting a conversation on the matter). For being chosen for letter of the day I also received a prize of a book voucher, which I donated to a school.

Posted on in In the News

In the Know: Facebook and Image Sharing for Public Healthwebcast

In the Know: Facebook and Image Sharing for Public Healthwebcast


Facebook and Image Sharing (Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, & Tumblr) for Public Health
will stream live on Tuesday, April 23 at 2 PM ET

The In the Know: Social Media for Public Health webcast series discusses the world of social media and its relevance to public health.

Each webcast focuses on a popular social media channel and includes cutting-edge tips and tools
for integrating social media into your public health outreach and communication strategies.

In the Know webcasts are live events with presentations and interactive sections.
Use hashtag #sm4ph on Twitter to follow the conversation and ask questions. You can also submit questions to info@cdcnpin.org.

Prior sessions have been archived and are available for viewing:

  • ·         Feb. 19 – Twitter: Archive 
  • ·         March 12 – LinkedIn & Slideshare Archive 
  • ·         April 2 – Gaming & Mobile  Archive 

Latest social media insights on topics including:

  • ·         April 23 – Facebook & Image Sharing (Instagram, Pinterest & Flickr) with special guest AIDS.gov
     – Registration is open now!
  • ·         May 14 – Google Plus & YouTube with Special Guest from Google 
  • ·         June 4 – Social Media Measurement & Evaluation

 

Follow @CDCNPIN and #SM4PH and help spread the word

Posted on in In the News

CHC Interview: Dr. Ellen Campbell Grizzle, Dean, College of Health Sciences, UTech

CHC Interview: Dr. Ellen Campbell Grizzle, Dean, College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica

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I met with Dr. Campbell Grizzle in December 2012 regarding some research I was doing in tobacco control. We got around to talking about public health communications in Jamaica.

Is health communications considered low priority for decision makers?

I went into a system where it was so, but then people started to say, “Wow”, when you actually designed and came up with the solutions that were measurable and could work. Sometimes it is for us to get in there, do the work and show that it works and be articulate about explaining what we do.

We [Jamaica] have a strength in that we have a whole cadre of graduate level trained behaviour change communications specialists. But we are not using them. Instead they are working in public relations. It’s sad because to me they could be making a big difference out there.

All you need is a couple of these people in a room to try to help to address issues like tobacco. Often what happens is I sit in a room and there is a doctor trying to speak about behaviour change. They know a few theories, but that is as far as it goes. When its time to design and execute a campaign they cannot tell you what to do. But I am a very optimistic person and I believe in being creative to overcome even these challenges.

Dr. Campbell Grizzle studied Media and Communications (Ba.) and Communications for Social and Behaviour Change (PhD) at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communications (CARIMAC), University of the West Indies (UWI).
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Posted on in In the News, Media Advocacy, Policy

Focus on Changing Caribbean Eating Habits: Claire Haynes – TEDxYouth@Bridgetown Talk

A group of inspired and talented young professionals from TEDxYouth@Bridgetown recently held a 2-day event in Barbados entitled ‘The Big Questions’. The event was attended by secondary school students from across Barbados.

One of the featured speakers was Claire Haynes who delivered a powerful presentation entitled: ‘How the Catelli Girl Got Out the Box’. The presentation focussed on the urgency of re-evaluating traditional Caribbean eating habits and shifting away from diets comprised of highly processed foods to healthier diets consisting of more natural, organically based foods.

Posted on in In the News

Live-stream: International Men’s Day, “Helping Boys and Men Live Longer, Happier and Healthier Lives” Promoting Men’s Health in the Caribbean

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The Office of Gender, Cultural Diversity and Human Rights from the Pan American Health Organization,

Cordially invite you to attend the: International Men’s Day, “Helping Boys and Men Live Longer, Happier and Healthier Lives” Promoting Men’s Health in the Caribbean

Featuring with the participations and discussions on Health Situation of Men in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Men, Masculinities and Health

 

WHEN: Monday, 19th November, 2012

TIME: 9:30 – 10:45 a.m., (WDC time)  (10;30-11:45 am in Barbados)

Please follow the links to watch the live event at:

Livestream www.livestream.com/PAHO Blackboard (Elluminate) http://www.paho.org/virtual/egender