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Oh, Ozempic … Is THIN Back In?
After decades of what seemed like progress away from the obsession for “wellies” and “thigh gaps” the thin-is-in mentality seems to be creeping back into the spotlight to weigh on women’s minds – especially on social media. Channeling the renewed fascination with and focus on slimness, University of Mary Washington Assistant Professor of Communication Emily Crosby, and Associate Professors of Communication Adria Goldman and Elizabeth Johnson-Young, presented a talk titled "Social Media and the Changing Current of Health Messaging and Debates." Crosby's presentation, "Ozempic is Cheating!: Articulating a Digital Turn in Diet Culture," looks at the discourse surrounding Ozempic on social media. Employing feminist rhetorical criticism, Crosby analyzes posts and commentary to identify themes and conventions of analog and digital diet culture. This research articulates the digital turn in the "cult of thinness," to expose how medical injectable weight loss drugs undermine the body positive movement by invoking clinical technology as ethos. Goldman's presentation, "#SocialSupport: Examining the Informative and Emotional Functions of Bariatric Surgery Support Groups on Facebook," investigates the functions of digital support groups in assisting with mental well-being and emotional regulation for people considering, undergoing or recuperating from weight loss surgery. This research examines Facebook’s ability to function as both an informative and emotional resource for the bariatric surgery community. Johnson-Young's presentation, "Sugar, Snacks and Weight: An Examination of Posts and Parent Reactions to the Challenges of Nutritional Health Norms on the Growing Intuitive Eaters Instagram," examined posts and comments on an influencer's account. The research is rooted in both health behavior theory and non-evaluative and trust-based communication around food and nutrition. Preliminary findings show a variety of themes regarding reactions to the influencer's posts, from anger and resistance to relief and excitement. Weight loss, wellness and the enormous amount of attention this topic is getting has journalists looking for answers. And if you're covering or are looking to know more - we can help. All three University of Mary Washington experts are available to speak with media - simply click on an icon now to arrange an interview today.
Reddit Shares Expected to Commence Trading on NYSE | Media Advisory
In a move emblematic of the digital age's intersection with traditional finance, Reddit, the vast online community platform, is poised to debut its shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). This event marks a significant milestone for the company, celebrated for its user-generated content and vibrant forums that span every conceivable interest. For investors, tech enthusiasts, and users alike, Reddit's transition from a private to a public entity opens up discussions on the valuation of online communities, the future of digital platforms, and the implications for the broader stock market. Key sub-topics include: Initial Public Offering (IPO) Details: Insights into Reddit's valuation, share pricing, and the IPO process. Impact on the Tech Industry: What Reddit's public listing means for the tech sector and other social media platforms. User Community Reaction: How Reddit's dedicated user base perceives the move to go public and potential changes to the platform. Market Performance and Investor Sentiment: Analysis of investor interest, market trends, and the potential for Reddit's stock. Corporate Governance and Strategy: The shift in Reddit's management approach post-IPO and strategic plans for growth. The Role of Digital Platforms in Modern Investing: How Reddit and similar platforms influence investor decisions and market dynamics. For journalists seeking research or insights for their coverage on this topic, here is a select list of experts. Scott Stratten President & CEO · UnMarketing Samantha Bradshaw Doctor of Philosophy Candidate · Oxford Internet Institute David Meerman Scott Marketing Strategist, Keynote Speaker, Bestselling Author Sean Thoennes, Ph.D. Associate Faculty - Media Psychology · Fielding Graduate University To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Photo by Brett Jordan
Tackling Tik Tok - Our expert explains what the problem is and what's next for the Chinese owned app
TikTok is one of the most popular social media sites in the world. In the United States, more than 170 million people and businesses use the app on a regular basis. Now, the federal government has taken the first step in banning the China-based app unless the ownership group, ByteDance, sells TikTok. The House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill in support of the ban, and now it awaits Congress to act. President Joe Biden has indicated he would sign the bill banning TikTok unless it’s sold, but whether it reaches his desk remains to be seen. This stems from the fear that China uses user information to their advantage. According to Lance Hunter, PhD, associate professor of political science in Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the concern is well deserved. “Even if it’s a privately-owned enterprise, China can still control it, they can still manipulate it to some degree as if it was a state -owned enterprise,” said Hunter. Hunter’s research focuses on how informational warfare attacks influence politics worldwide. He said the algorithm TikTok uses can play a major role in informational warfare on two fronts. “One, it’s the data gathering, and that can be used for micro targeting because basically what TikTok can do is collect the data and provide information as to what certain individuals respond to an this is exactly how you can persuade them.” “Also, there is empirical evidence that China has used TikTok before to try to influence elections to some degree. One example in the 2022 midterm elections in which some candidates from both parties were targeted by TikTok accounts that were controlled by a propaganda agency operating within the Chinese government.” Hunter added the TikTok algorithm is more advanced than some other social media platforms and more effective in knowing what people like and why they like it. With so many AI-generated posts, it can be difficult for the consumer to decipher what is legitimate, and what isn’t. There are some red flags for people to be on the lookout for. “One thing the average person can do is be very wary of what you’re seeing and ask yourself does this seem legitimate?” he added. “If everyone is saying the exact same thing, that’s a tell sometimes. Also, where does this information originate from, and what are the timestamps on the posts? Something else is to look at the individual who made the post. Who are these people and who’s following them? You may be able to see if they are legitimate accounts.” While China, and Russia for that matter, are trying to influence people in several ways, Hunter said they are also trying to cause division among the American people. “They do want to influence elections at times, absolutely. But one of their other goals, and sometimes even more predominant goals for them, is to increase division, increase polarization, and that’s a great way to do that,” Hunter said. “Even if you have a temporary reaction, you’ve increased that division which could have longer term effects.” Are you covering this important and ongoing story? Then let us help with your stories and questions. Lance Hunter is an assistant professor of political science with a background in international relations. His research focuses on how terrorist attacks influence politics in democratic countries and how political decisions within countries affect conflicts worldwide. He is available to speak with media about this important topic - simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.
#Expert Q&A: NJIT’s Donghee Yvette Wohn Weighs the Pros and Cons of Kids Playing Esports
Donghee Yvette Wohn, an associate professor at New Jersey Institute of Technology and director of its Social Interaction Lab, focuses on human computer interaction, where she studies the characteristics and consequences of social interactions in online environments such as social media, live streaming, virtual worlds (metaverse) and esports. Here she explains the appeal of esports among children in particular and how their parents can assess what’s appropriate for them. How would you describe the current landscape of esports? Esports is an umbrella term that is used for competitive computer gaming that usually, but not always, happens in teams. However, similar to books or movies, the content of the games vastly differs. Some games are very violent, some are not. Some have very realistic graphics, some are very fantasy-like and playful. It is thus hard, especially as a parent, to make blanket decisions when it comes to esports, you may have to take things case by case. So, then how can parents assess what’s appropriate for their children? A quick online search into the nature of the game to see its description or even watching ten minutes of what the gameplay looks like on YouTube or Twitch — where many people upload videos of gameplay — will give parents a better idea of what the game is like without having to play it themselves. What about in terms of the other players? It may be useful to use physical sports or any other extracurricular activity as a mental reference when thinking of how to deal with certain issues. For example, soccer is a sport that is great for socializing and team building, but if one is placing a 10-year-old in a game with other adults, there would be a lot of extra things one would want to consider. Like any social activity, one would want to be mindful of who the child is playing with, how much they are playing and how they are playing. For example, are they being respectful? And what kind of language is being used during the game? What skills could esports and similar gaming help children develop? Based on research, the collaboration and communication skills required to play successfully are extremely high. Even though people do not associate computer games as being a physical skill, the dexterity and hand-eye coordination required to play well require a very high level of intellect and physical ability. Of course, not everyone plays that well, but it does indicate that esports is a little different than some games that are more “mindless” or “relaxing” in nature. What about social skills? It strengthens existing friendships and can also open up one’s world by conversing with strangers. My colleagues and I did a research study where we found a student living in a rural area where most people did not go to college who wanted to go college because he was inspired by the older college students he was playing with. Playing the game in supportive environments can be mentally and socially beneficial. What are the downsides? Like any social situation, there is always the possibility of people misbehaving. The types of harassment documented in gaming environments is so horrible, but the reality is that children are exposed to all types of horrible situations — both online and offline — and helping them navigate difficult situations can help build resilience for the future. What’s a common misconception among parents? The most important thing is to understand that whatever happens in esports is not to be dismissed as something that is “only online” or “not real.” The emotions that children experience in the virtual world are very much real. How much parental supervision is needed? Younger children’s brains have not yet developed self-constraint, so the parent should decide how much time should be spent playing games, what games are played and who they are played with. Older children — once they start understanding logic — should be encouraged to plan these things for themselves. Looking to know more? We can help. Yvette Wohn is available to discuss esports and kids with media. Simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.
Amid "Likes" and "Shares," Facebook Jeopardizes Children's Health and Safety
On February 4, 2004, a 19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg launched “TheFacebook.” Developed in his Harvard University residence hall, it began as a networking service for his roughly 7,000 classmates. Today, it is the most popular social media platform in existence, boasting over three billion monthly active users worldwide. Through two decades of “likes” and “shares,” Facebook has transformed how people connect, interact and think. Driving everything from dinner parties and concert outings to political campaigns and protest movements, it has frequently been celebrated for its ability to convey information, mobilize groups and galvanize change. However, it has also been criticized for its questionable content management choices, its suspect data collection practices and, perhaps most notably, its role in feeding an ever-growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents—a charge Zuckerberg refutes. Elizabeth Burgess Dowdell, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a professor in Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing and an expert on the health and safety risks posed by social media. From her perspective, Facebook and platforms like it have undoubtedly played a part in heightening levels of emotional distress and physical harm among youths. “Statistically, it’s well-established in the literature that mental health issues and concerning behaviors among children have escalated tremendously,” said Dr. Dowdell. “They’re becoming sadder, more depressed and lonelier, even though they’re very connected.” To Dr. Dowdell’s point, mental health disorders began rising precipitously among young people in the years following Facebook’s launch. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of children aged 6 to 17 years “ever having been diagnosed with either anxiety or depression” increased from 5.4% in 2003 to 8% in 2007 and 8.4% in 2011-2012. And just last year, in the era of Instagram and TikTok, Mental Health America found that 11.5% of children in the United States were struggling with severe depression, with 16% of youths aged 12 to 17 years having experienced a major depressive episode in the past 12 months. A contributing factor, according to Dr. Dowdell, is the way social media construes reality. Flooded with images, posts and videos that show hyper-idealized, rose-colored representations of life, impressionable young users can be made to feel isolated, inept or dissatisfied with their appearance. “I think adults understand that a ‘perfect’ picture is often preceded by a dozen other photos,” she said. “Kids don’t always see it like that. They focus on what makes them happy and what makes them sad—and what makes them feel sad about themselves.” Tragically, throughout the social media age, this sadness has been tied to increasing rates of suicide, self-harm and risky behavior among youths. A 2023 CDC study found that the suicide rate for children aged 10 to 14 years tripled from 2007 to 2018 (from 0.9 deaths per 100,000 to 2.9), and in 2021-2022, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children noted a 35% year-over-year increase in reports of suspected child sexual exploitation. Amid these frightening statistics, Dr. Dowdell emphasizes the importance of caring, compassionate adults’ involvement in young people’s lives. She notes these individuals’ presence can not only shield youths from potentially hazardous situations but give them the tools to cope with traumatic episodes and feelings of despair. “The critical factor that helps children become resilient is having a support system—having family members, parents or trusted adults with whom they can talk,” Dr. Dowdell shared. “They might go down the rabbit hole, but they have someone to pull them out, someone to help them.” For adults concerned about their loved ones’ social media use, Dr. Dowdell stresses that empathy and understanding are key. In turn, she advocates for an approach that reflects the supposed purpose of Facebook and platforms like it: active conversation. “It all comes back to communication,” she said. “Parents and guardians need to role-model responsible behaviors. They need to talk about these things: ‘What did you look at today?’ ‘What was good?’ ‘What was bad?’ ‘What did you think?’ ‘How did you feel about that?’ “It’s much like, when children are little, reading them books. When we read to children, we engage them… Why not read the social media feeds, look at the Facebook posts or go through Instagram? These forms of engagement, the conversations we have, let them know they can come and talk.”
The U.S. House today passed a federal bill to ban TikTok and it now moves to the Senate. President Biden said he would sign a potential bill that bans the social media platform. Goizueta Business School Professor David Schweidel has done extensive research on the impact of social media. He says: The security and privacy issues around TikTok are only one part of the equation. User safety is another concern that all social media companies are now facing. He notes that the algorithms prioritize engagement, which could be showing people content that is harmful to them (mentally and/or physically). Background: TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a private Chinese company that claims all information gathered through the app is secure. Lawmakers do not agree and have plans to remove TikTok from the U.S. by September 30th unless ByteDance sells TikTok. The proposed bill would also put into place allowance for the executive branch to prohibit access to an app owned by a foreign adversary that could impact national security. Expert Source: David A. Schweidel, Professor of Marketing, Goizueta Business School at Emory University Bio - https://goizueta.emory.edu/faculty/profiles/david-schweidel To connect with David to arrange an interview - simply click his icon now.
Tips for traversing the time between jobs
The gap between jobs is a time of not only financial woes but also an associated mental toll that can be just as difficult to manage. University of Delaware career expert Jill Gugino Panté offers tips for navigating the rough waters of unemployment. Gugino Panté, director of the Lerner Career Services Center at UD, has years of experience in HR and helps folks from ages 18 to 80 find jobs and level up their careers. She provided the following advice that journalists can pull for stories about careers and the job market: It's normal to feel hopeless and helpless. These are the two common words I constantly hear from job seekers. Searching for a job, especially when you don’t have a job, can be a black hole of nothing and everything. "Nothing" because you don’t hear back from applications you’ve submitted and the silence can diminish your confidence. And "everything" because of the range of emotions you feel on a daily basis. Stay busy. Staying busy is not just applying to jobs, but it’s keeping your brain, body and mental health positively active. You can only apply to so many jobs on your computer. After that, most people sit and wait. NEVER SIT AND WAIT in a job search! Even the smallest thing will provide a sense of accomplishment. Send out emails to arrange connection phone calls. Attend local networking events, volunteer and give back. Clean out your closet and donate clothes. Organize your search in a spreadsheet, add reminders to your calendar. Keep yourself moving and check off one thing on your list a day. Find support among peers. There are millions of groups out there on social media. Find a job seeking support group in your industry where you can get advice and even a pep talk if you need one. Friends and family are fine, but not everyone has this and sometimes friends and families don’t understand what you’re going through. Having multiple support groups can provide consistency. Put your job search on blast. I have so many stories of people finding a job because they posted on social media or struck up a conversation with a stranger in a store. Unless you have a specific reason for keeping your job search a secret, shout it out to the world! Data shows that it’s the people on the periphery of your network (meaning 2nd and 3rd connections) who have the most effect on your professional development. So reaching out on LinkedIn, talking to a stranger, attending a networking event you wouldn’t otherwise go to can have a significant impact on your job search. Members of the media interested in speaking with Gugino Panté can reach her directly – visit her profile and click the "contact button." Or, feel free to reach out to our media relations department.
Countdown To the Big Game: Dr. Tyrha’s Top Five Super Bowl Commercials for the Past Five Years
Advertising executive and multicultural media expert Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, , is a sought-after media commentator on the brands who win big during the game's commercial breaks. Commercials always are the most anticipated and talked-about aspect of the Super Bowl, but the expanding digital landscape requires advertisers to use more authentic and nuanced strategies to reach consumers. Advertising executive and multicultural media expert Tyrha M. Lindsey-Warren, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of marketing at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, is a sought-after media commentator on the brands who win big during the game’s commercial breaks. How do companies break through the noise and make a lasting impression on viewers? Lindsey-Warren – or Dr. Tyrha, as she is known – says the key is empowered storytelling. As a consumer behavior scholar, Dr. Lindsey-Warren’s research is rooted in narrative transportation theory – in other words, storytelling – that exudes the emotion of empowerment and its impact on consumer attitudes, behaviors, purchase intention and message recall. “There is a growing space for cleverly crafted and positive storytelling that can break through the clutter and competition and get the attention of Millennials, Gen Z and Alpha generations in an authentic and meaningful manner,” Lindsey-Warren said. At the top of every year, Dr. Tyrha always enjoys exposing the juniors and seniors in her advertising class to the joys of storytelling in advertising by way of the Super Bowl commercials. By leveraging the Super Bowl as an “edutaining” entry point for student learning, Dr. Lindsey-Warren finds it to be a fun and wonderful way to bring many advertising lessons to life for her students, including branding, consumer targeting and segmentation, social media campaign analysis, and more. To that end, here are Dr. Tyrha Lindsey-Warren’s top picks for the best Super Bowl commercials over the past five years. COUNTDOWN TO THE SUPER BOWL: DR. TYRHA’S TOP 5 SUPER BOWL COMMERCIALS FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS #5: Company/Brand: AMAZON Title of the commercial: “#BeforeAlexa” (With Ellen Degeneres and Portia de Rossi) Year it ran in the Super Bowl: 2020 Link to the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLUwmnPJIGk Ad Agency that produced the commercial: Droga5 Dr. Tyrha’s rationale as to why this ad is so good: In my opinion, this was a wonderfully creative and clever introduction of the Alexa product by Amazon. The nostalgic storytelling in the spot humorously does make you wonder and realize how “did” we all live “before Alexa?” The commercial is multigenerational, incorporates women extremely well, and is so funny! #4. Company/Brand: NFL Title of the commercial: “Bring Down the House!” Year it ran in the Super Bowl: 2022 Link to the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PhfMtZce1k Ad Agency that produced the commercial: Co-directed by Peter Berg of Film 47 and Arthur Mintz of Swaybox Studios Dr. Tyrha’s rationale as to why this ad is so good: In 2022, the NFL creatively leveraged the power of animation to get our attention with this wonderfully told story with children as the lead Talent and set in a situation that all families can relate to! The spot is so much fun and keeps you guessing as well as laughing with Grandma saving the day in the end. The commercial is multigenerational, multicultural, and incorporates women and girls extremely well. #3. Company/Brand: MOUNTAIN DEW & DORITOS (OWNED BY PEPSICO) Title of the commercial: “Doritos Blaze vs. Mountain Dew Ice” (with Morgan Freeman and Peter Dinklage) Year it ran in the Super Bowl: 2018 Link to the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2tyVjEuqcY Ad Agency that produced the commercial: Goodby, Silverstein & Partners Dr. Tyrha’s rationale as to why this ad is so good: The “in your face” storytelling of this commercial – performed exquisitely by acclaimed actors, Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman, and accompanied by the perfect voiceover narrators in Rappers Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes – is so much fun and truly unforgettable! The commercial also cleverly makes you pay attention to the presentation of the products being promoted as well as compels you to wonder as to “when did you last have a Mountain Dew and some Doritos?” This commercial is multicultural, multigenerational, multibodied, and incorporates women well and UBER memorable! #2. Company/Brand: NFL Title of the commercial: “The 100-Year Game” Year it ran in the Super Bowl: 2020 Link to the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJjiIuH1VnY Ad Agency that produced the commercial: 72 and Sunny Dr. Tyrha’s rationale as to why this ad is so good: If you love the game of football, you have to love this ad that celebrates the fun and contagious spirit of the game. Truly, this commercial has something for everyone who loves the game of football! The unassuming opening of the ad’s storytelling set at an awards banquet and led by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell quickly evolves into a fun and rambunctious game of football with NFL players of all ages in their tuxedos destroying the ballroom with their play. The musical hip-hop soundtrack alone for the spot is amazing, current, and supports the action of the storytelling extremely well. This spot is multigenerational, incredibly diverse in age ethnicity and more, as well as weaves women and girls into the spot ever so cleverly. A truly memorable ad and so much fun! #1. Company/Brand: Mr. Clean (OWNED BY P&G) Title of the commercial: “Cleaner Of Your Dreams” Year it ran in the Super Bowl: 2018 Link to the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozuWoZITX3Y Ad Agency that produced the commercial: Leo Burnett Dr. Tyrha’s rationale as to why this ad is so good: Every year I show this commercial to my Advertising students at Baylor University and they absolutely LOVE this ad! The storytelling of this commercial leverages the animated Mr. Clean in such a clever manner, while showing the product benefits at the same time, and not being “in your face” with the product’s selling proposition. The music and the dancing accompaniment to the storytelling all help to bring an emotional connection to the viewer, especially the female audience. Plus, the spot is just super funny and so much fun! Every time I see this ad, I want to run and buy Mr. Clean. And, I tell my female students every year that when they get older, they are going to LOVE a man who can clean a house!!!! Additionally, this was an incredibly smart move by P&G to put this ad in the Super Bowl. This is due to the fact that the “current and future market power of women – as a whole and by segments – is undeniable and truly cannot be ignored by marketers, especially the NFL.” Today, women influence more than 80% of all consumer spending; 89% of the financial decisions are made by women; and globally, women control more than $20 trillion in worldwide spending. In addition, nearly 24.3 million African American women are brand loyalists and cultural trendsetters who have influence over the $1.2 trillion in Black spending power. And, Forbes reported in 2018 that “women constituted about 49 % of the 108 million-plus people who watched” that year’s Super Bowl – and they paid closer attention to the ads!
Sept. 25 is National Daughters Day, celebrating adult daughters often overlooked for their role in relationship with parents National Daughters Day is Sept. 25, an oft-overlooked holiday that has been around since 1932. But much like the holiday, adult daughters are often unnoticed for the important role they play in the lives of their parents. Allison M. Alford, Ph.D., clinical associate professor of business communication at Baylor University and co-host of the weekly podcast, “Hello Mother, Hello Daughter,” researches adult daughters and their “invisible labor” in maintaining the unity of a family. Adult daughters find themselves providing support, nurturing and much more in a socially and communicatively constructed, shaped and molded role that includes navigating, responding to and negotiating cultural and familial discourses. These behaviors occur throughout a daughter’s life and represent significant resources funneled toward her parents to maintain and nurture a relationship. Alford’s research on “daughtering” – the active way that daughters relate to and care for parents – is how she describes the work and effort that daughters provide their parents. “It’s that purposeful work that helps relationships flourish but often goes uncredited as work, even by daughters themselves, in part because the efforts are wrapped in misleading language and society hasn’t adopted a lexicon specifically for daughtering,” said Alford, who edited the book, “Constructing Motherhood and Daughterhood Across the Lifespan,” with research partner Michelle Miller-Day, Ph.D., of Chapman University in Orange County, California. Daughtering involves such “invisible labor” as planning and organizing family events, resolving conflicts, acting as a buffer with other family members, preparing for the future and more—with the intent of supporting important family relationships, Alford said. With dashes of “mental load” and “adulting,” thrown in the mix, adult children are engaging in effortful and intense relationship-building, from which they usually benefit in the form of familial support and love. Embracing National Daughters Day In recent years, social media has embraced National Daughters Day with parents posting loving tributes and sharing stories about their daughters, recognition that Alford encourages. “Adult daughters put a lot of effort into their families and recognizing their hard work with praise and affirmation shows that what they do matters. Every daughter would love to hear compliments on her daughtering,” Alford said, recommending that parents take time on Sept. 25 to acknowledge and thank their adult daughters for the care and time they give to the family. A few simple ways parents can acknowledge adult daughters: Call your daughter on the phone and tell her how much her efforts have meant to you, Create a social media tribute and share a picture of yourselves together over the years, Order takeout delivered to her house for dinner, or Call the grandkids and tell them a sweet story about their mom. Also on Sept. 25, Alford and Miller-Day will launch Season 2 of their weekly podcast, “Hello Mother, Hello Daughter,” which continues to explore what it means to be an adult daughter and how daughtering and mothering work together to create a harmonious family. This season, the hosts interview experts on adult mother-daughter relationship topics and share helpful resources that can enable positive family interactions. The podcast will be available everywhere you listen to podcasts. “Hello Mother, Hello Daughter” also is on social media on Instagram and Facebook.
Public health workers faced unprecedented threats during the pandemic
A new study led by Jennifer Horney, founder of the University of Delaware's Epidemiology program, shows that threats to public health workers nearly doubled after the COVID-19 vaccine was released in August 2021. The results, recently published in an open-access commentary in Public Health in Practice, demonstrate a strong need for expanded legal protections for all frontline workers. They also illustrate a need to boost the resilience of the public health workforce, which can be achieved through training, coping, protective services and media management. While public health workers have always received threats, including during the SARS and Zika outbreaks, the COVID-19 pandemic threats were different. “These threats were more personal in nature,” said Horney, a professor in UD's College of Health Sciences. “Due to the proliferation of social media and the politicization of the pandemic, for the first time, public health leaders were finding protesters on their doorsteps or were being doxed.” Horney and her team surveyed staff at state and local health departments in 23 states – most of them epidemiology or communicable disease staff. The initial online survey found that 25% of respondents said someone in their public health agency had received personal threats. That percentage practically doubled to 41% in a follow-up survey. Of those, respondents said nearly all the personal threats were lodged by members of the public. Almost 40% reported receiving political threats. The threats reported by public health workers who responded to the survey ranged from death threats to blame for COVID-19 deaths due to incompetence. Horney is available for interviews to discuss the study and other topics related to the public health response to COVID-19 and the impacts of natural disasters on public health. Click on her profile below to contact Horney and the UD media relations team.
