COME AND GET IT! FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LAUNCHES FACEBOOK AND TWITTER TO PUT ESSENTIAL HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

- Social media connects health-based information to Floridians of all ages -

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has launched its statewide presence on two social media platforms, Facebook and Twitter. The DOH social media accounts emerged to provide Florida’s diverse audiences with the most accurate and up-to-date public health information through an avenue that encourages communication in a modern, effective online format.
Facebook and Twitter users will gain access to vital health information, events and updates; easily accessible links, resources and materials; and be able to generate open, real-time discussions between parties who share the common objective of protecting and improving public health in Florida. DOH will use these communication channels to further increase public awareness, enhance customer service and garner community relationships to help carry out its vision of a healthier future for residents, visitors and stakeholders across the state.
“We are excited to embark on this new journey into the online community where we can better serve the public with more immediacy and accessibility,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Frank Farmer. “The use of social media will reinforce DOH’s goal of transparency by encouraging open dialogue and relationship building between government officials and the public.”
DOH’s Twitter account, @FLHealthPrepare (http://twitter.com/FLHEALTHPrepare), will keep Florida proactively engaged in crisis communication and response efforts by prompting the public with emergency-related health preparedness information and updates through postings that include items such as:

• Public health preparedness facts, trivia and statistics;
• Notices of DOH public health preparedness news releases, media advisories; YouTube videos, PSAs and Online Newsroom features;
• Public health advisories and bulletins;
• Information on public health preparedness-related events, trainings and other resources.

DOH’s Facebook account, Florida Department of Health (DOH) (http://www.facebook.com/FLDepartmentofHealth), will share family-oriented information and resources that will highlight the importance of health in families and communities statewide through postings that include items such as:

• Information, resources and materials that encompass family health issues and safety;
• Pre-announcements of upcoming events and happenings in the community;
• Online buttons and badges that users can share to increase awareness of health issues;
• Surveys about perceptions, beliefs and awareness regarding public health topics and campaigns.

Using Facebook and Twitter as communication tools will allow DOH to better inform, alert and educate residents and visitors of Florida on public health information and resources, and expand channels of communication and technology to achieve high efficiency, accessibility and scalability. Not only will the social media accounts provide an additional, low-barrier method for audiences to interact with DOH subject matter experts to ask questions and receive feedback, they will also provide a forum where the public can interact with others to share relevant health information and ideas locally and statewide.
To view DOH’s Facebook page, visit http://www.facebook.com//FLDepartmentofHealth and “like” the page to become a fan and receive daily health updates. To follow DOH on Twitter, visit http://twitter.com/FLHEALTHPrepare.

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About DOH
The Florida Department of Health is committed to its mission to protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties. The role of public health is to promote and protect the health and safety of all Floridians. This mission is accomplished by:

• Identifying health risks in the community;
• Maintaining a safe and healthful environment;
• Detecting, investigating, and preventing the spread of disease;
• Promoting healthy lifestyles;
• Providing primary care for individuals with limited access to such care from the private sector; and ensuring that health care practitioners meet the requirements for providing adequate care;
• Informing the public on health issues.

View the Florida Department of Health’s website at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/.


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