Global Health in the Age of Social Media

The field of digital communications is undergoing rapid change. From increased broadband penetration in the developed world to the proliferation of mobile technology in the developing world, more people in more places have Internet connectivity than ever before. With the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies (including social networking and software as a service computing), the entire global community also is becoming more interconnected. Government and nongovernment organizations are responding to these changes in technology, behavior, and cultural norms by embracing a more open, transparent, and participatory government.

The new mandate for open government is transforming how these organizations conduct basic functions, especially those related to public affairs, public policy, advocacy, and public diplomacy. In the long‐run, the countries that invest in trustworthy digital communications will project openness, spur innovation, and encourage value‐based discourse. This presents a strategic opportunity to radically alter how countries are perceived ‐ not only by their own citizens but also by the global community.

If the United States of America hopes to realize its full potential to be a thought leader in the world, it therefore must invest in projecting its influence through innovative digital communications platforms around topics that are globally relevant and universally valued, including global health. It can do so both in concert with global inter‐governmental and non‐governmental organizations, such as the World Health Organization, and on its own initiative under its own departments and agencies.

Either way, the United States of America can work to fill a void that currently exists in the global community for accurate, timely, accessible, impactful information on global health issues. Acting as a global service provider, the United States of America can emerge as the authority for global health information that is relevant to every single member of the global community – regardless of nationality.

To do so, the United States of America merely requires the will to seize upon this opportunity. As evidenced by innovative online projects by governmental and non‐governmental organizations such as the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Agency for International Development, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United States of America already possesses the expertise to leverage technology to radically change global discourse on global health issues.

The United States of America therefore must not miss the opportunity to be the voice behind the digital communications platforms that facilitate the sharing of knowledge, enable communities of practice, increase awareness for pressing global health issues, and generally improve the condition of individuals around the world.

The United States also must not take for granted that others states and nonstate actors will meet the unrealized demand for accurate, timely, accessible, impactful global health information with their own digital communications platforms if it does not elect to make the investment. Many states and non‐state actors alike will view the opportunity to be the provider of such information as an opportunity to improve their standing in the global community – especially given the fact that their improved standing can be realized through relatively inexpensive tactics.