Do Your FingerTips Have Healing Powers

Aids, mental illness, erectile dysfunction, Leprosy–all of these diagnoses along with many others are still extremely stigmatized; and amidst the lack of universal support our community continues to suffer from their ailments. Even cancer, though activism is highly visible in the United States, remains stigmatized in many other countries.

Neighbors and friends believe the illnesses were brought on by the patients themselves. Misguidance and a lack of information cause fear and disregard among the general population. We tend to avoid the problem because we don’t understand it or we disassociate ourselves because we are afraid of what others may think if we support those who have been diagnosed. The patients themselves refuse to seek or ask for the help they need because they are afraid of the consequences. Many go untreated, ailments get worse, and some die as a result of insufficient treatment and ultimately a lack of friendly consideration or encouragement.

Through today’s technology—social media included—we have the ability to feed communities the truth, inform patients that the disease is not their fault, and help neighbors and friends realize that with greater support we may be able to find solutions. Ironically, the existing stigma impedes our desire to read articles about dysfunction or “like” a mental health campaign on Facebook.

In today’s social media revolution we are able to assist the most vulnerable populations. But how are we to utilize this new media to change existing behavior, reduce stigma, and disseminate accurate and useful health information around the world?

On Tuesday, February 19th, Population Services In International PSA will host a workshop dedicated to the usefulness of social media in global health programming. Remember there are ways in which we can all help. Don’t be afraid to use the technology you have at your fingertips to be a part of a global change.

This Blog was originally posted at Social Media Week--A professional conference in Washington DC. Please visit there website for additional blogs concerning the power of media networking. http://socialmediaweek.org/washingtondc/ 

Are Todays Better than Yesterdays?

In an era when we are obsessed with technology and instant gratification, are we setting ourselves up for greater disappointment? Our advancement and innovative progress has been the topic of discussion before. It can be debated both ways...that this progress is both a gift and a detriment to our society.

I hear my parents and grandparents complain all the time about how crazy kids are these days and how nobody has morals anymore. I tell people that I would have loved to grow up and live in the 1950's or 60's because times were better, easier, simpler. All of this I believe to be true; it was simpler. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize they weren't any different at all. Just like today, they made mistakes; they disappointed people they loved and hurt those they didn't.

It only seems that today is worse than yesterday because all our misgivings are out there in the open for everyone to see. It is highly likely that Presidents have been cheating on their wives since the days of Washington and Martha. It just happens that our increased dependency on media, and therefore scandal, exposed Bill Clinton. The ability to be satisfied through one partner for an entire lifetime was just as difficult one hundred years ago as it is today. Unfortunately, the web of connections through Facebook, Twitter, and text messages makes it almost impossible for your wife to hide her passionate connection with someone else. Your boss knows you had an interview last week with your firm's biggest competition. Your mother knows you lied to her about sneaking out after your curfew. It is easier to find the betrayal and unfaithfulness, discovering your fear is more than misplaced intuition.

Over the centuries, we haven't devolved. We're still as human as we ever were. The only difference is that people now know the truth. Do think this is better or worse? I believe ignorance IS bliss. A century ago, we may have been living falsehoods and facades, but people were happy.