Are commercial Tweets Truthful About Loosely Regulated Substance Such as CBD? (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Turner ◽  
Mehmed Kantardzic ◽  
Rachel Vickers-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Medical Researchers ◽  
Other Substances ◽  
Text Classifiers ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Medical Standard ◽  
Negative Sentiment

UNSTRUCTURED Background: This study analyzes differences in the terms and sentiments regarding CBD expressed by commercial and personal users on Twitter. It demonstrates that in the absence of official clinical trial information, data from social networks can be used by public health and medical researchers to assess public claims about loosely-regulated substances like CBD: for example, by comparing the medical conditions targeted by those selling CBD against the medical conditions patients commonly treat with CBD. Objective: The objective of this study is to provide a framework for public health and medical researchers to use to analyze the consumption and marketing of unregulated substances. Specifically we examined cannabidiol (CBD), which is a substance that is often being presented to the public as medication despite complete evidence of efficacy and safety. Methods: We collected 567,850 tweets by searching Twitter with the Tweepy Python package using the terms CBD and cannabidiol. We trained two binary text classifiers to create two corpora of 156,080 personal use and 158,014 commercial/sales. Using medical, standard, and slang dictionaries, we identified and compared the most frequently occurring medical conditions, symptoms, side effects, body parts, and other substances referenced in both corpora. Results: We found references to medically relevant terms that were unique to either personal or commercial CBD tweet classes, as well as medically relevant terms that were common in both classes. In addition, to assess popular claims about the efficacy of CBD as a medical treatment circulating on Twitter, we performed sentiment analysis via the VADER model on the personal CBD tweets. We calculated the average sentiment scores for both personal and commercial CBD tweets referencing at least one of 17 medical conditions/symptoms, and observed an overall positive sentiment in both personal and commercial CBD tweets. We observed negative sentiment conveyed in personal CBD tweets referencing autism, while noticing it was being marketed multiple times as a treatment of autism within commercial CBD tweets. Conclusion: Our proposed framework provides a tool for public health and medical researchers to analyze the consumption and marketing of unregulated substances on social networks. Our analysis showed that that most users of CBD are satisfied with it in regards to the condition it that it is being advertised for, with the exception of autism.

scholarly journals The effect of social distancing on the reach of an epidemic in social networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Gutin ◽  
Tomohiro Hirano ◽  
Sung-Ha Hwang ◽  
Philip R. Neary ◽  
Alexis Akira Toda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Simulation Results

AbstractHow does social distancing affect the reach of an epidemic in social networks? We present Monte Carlo simulation results of a susceptible–infected–removed with social distancing model. The key feature of the model is that individuals are limited in the number of acquaintances that they can interact with, thereby constraining disease transmission to an infectious subnetwork of the original social network. While increased social distancing typically reduces the spread of an infectious disease, the magnitude varies greatly depending on the topology of the network, indicating the need for policies that are network dependent. Our results also reveal the importance of coordinating policies at the ‘global’ level. In particular, the public health benefits from social distancing to a group (e.g. a country) may be completely undone if that group maintains connections with outside groups that are not following suit.

scholarly journals Snus and snus-like nicotine products moving across Nordic borders: Can laws protect young people?

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252199570
Author(s):  
Marjut Salokannel ◽  
Eeva Ollila
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
The Public ◽  
European Court ◽  
Wide Availability ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Eu

Background: Use of snus and snus-like nicotine products is increasing, in particular among young people, in several Nordic countries and Estonia, while snus is legally on the market only in Sweden and Norway. Snus is available in a great variety of tastes and packaging particularly catering for young users. Recently, strong snus-resembling nicotine pouches have emerged on the market. This research investigates the regulatory means to counteract this development. Methods: European Union (EU) and national tobacco control legislation, case law of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) and relevant public health studies are analysed. Results: The research finds that the judgement of the CJEU relating to the sale of snus on Finnish ferries has not been enforced. Permitted large traveller imports for personal use have contributed to wide availability of snus in Finland. Even if the legislation in Sweden is in conformity with the exemption it obtained in the Accession Treaty, the public health impact of snus use for young people in its neighbouring countries has become considerable. Nicotine pouches, -which are not regarded as medical products in terms of medicine legislation, lack harmonised EU-wide regulation. Controlling smuggling across open borders is challenging. Conclusions: The legislation at the EU and national levels should be able to protect young people from new tobacco and nicotine products. It is urgent to harmonise regulation relating to new tobacco and nicotine products taking as a base a high level of protection of health as required in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

scholarly journals The Michigan BioTrust for Health: Using Dried Bloodspots for Research to Benefit the Community While Respecting the Individual

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (S1) ◽  
pp. 98-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Chrysler ◽  
Harry McGee ◽  
Janice Bach ◽  
Ed Goldman ◽  
Peter D. Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Filter Paper ◽  
Health Program ◽  
The State ◽  
Public Health Laboratory ◽  
Public Health Program ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Blood Spot

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) stores almost 4 million dried blood spot specimens (DBS) in the Michigan Neonatal Biobank. DBS are collected from newborns under a mandatory public health program to screen for serious conditions. At 24 to 36 hours of age, a few drops of blood are taken from the baby’s heel and placed on a filter paper card. The card is sent to the state public health laboratory for testing. After testing, MDCH retains the spots indefinitely for the personal use of the patient and also, pursuant to a 2000 law, for possible research.

scholarly journals Comorbidity and COVID-19: Investigating the Relationship between Medical and Psychological Well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Owen Stafford ◽  
Anna Berry ◽  
Laura K. Taylor ◽  
Sinead Wearen ◽  
Cian Prendergast ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Vulnerable Populations ◽  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective: The unprecedented occurrence of a global pandemic is accompanied by both physical and psychological burdens that may impair quality of life. Research relating to COVID-19 aims to determine the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable populations who are at high risk of developing negative health or psychosocial outcomes. Having an ongoing medical condition during a pandemic may lead to greater psychological distress. Increased psychological distress may be due to preventative public health measures (e.g. lockdown), having an ongoing medical condition, or a combination of these factors. Methods: This study analyses data from an online cross-sectional national survey of adults in Ireland and investigates the relationship between comorbidity and psychological distress. Those with a medical condition (n128) were compared to a control group without a medical condition (n128) and matched according to age, gender, annual income, education, and work status during COVID-19. Participants and data were obtained during the first public lockdown in Ireland (27.03.202008.06.2020). Results: Individuals with existing medical conditions reported significantly higher levels of anxiety (p<.01) and felt less gratitude (p.001). Exploratory analysis indicates that anxiety levels were significantly associated with illness perceptions specific to COVID-19. Post-hoc analysis reveal no significant difference between the number of comorbidities and condition type (e.g. respiratory disorders). Conclusion: This research supports individualised supports for people with ongoing medical conditions through the COVID-19 pandemic, and has implications for the consideration of follow-up care specifically for mental health. Findings may also inform future public health policies and post-vaccine support strategies for vulnerable populations.

Social Networks

Urban Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 248-255
Author(s):  
Abby E. Rudolph
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Barriers To Health ◽  
Distinguishing Features

One of the distinguishing features of urban environments is the close proximity of their residents. There is ample evidence that our social networks influence how we think, feel, and behave and, through doing so, shape our health. Therefore, the challenge and opportunity for urban areas is how to foster social relationships and interactions that promote healthier behaviors, reduce the risk of disease transmission, and remove or serve as buffers against existing barriers to health service utilization. This chapter provides a theoretical framework for thinking about the role of social networks in public health and provides two examples how social network analysis has been used to better understand two major public health concerns in urban settings.

scholarly journals Round table: Online anti-vaccination movements: the role of social media in public health communications

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Hpv Vaccine ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Swine Flu ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Digital health has revolutionised healthcare, with implications for understanding public reaction to health emergencies and interventions. Social media provides a space where like-minded people can share interests and concerns in real-time, regardless of their location. This can be a force for good, as platforms like Twitter can spread correct information about outbreaks, for example in the 2009 swine flu pandemic. However, social media can also disseminate incorrect information or deliberately spread misinformation leading to adverse public health sentiment and outcomes. The current issues around trust in vaccines is the best-known example. Vaccine hesitancy, traditionally linked to issues of trust, misinformation and prior beliefs, has been increasingly fueled by influential groups on social media and the Internet. Ultimately, anti-vaccination movements have the potential to lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, especially if refusal is concentrated locally, creating vulnerable populations. For example, 2018-19 saw a large increase in incidence of measles in the US and Europe (where cases tripled from 2017), two regions where the disease was already or almost eliminated. In 2019, the World Health Organisation listed anti-vaccination movements as one of the top 10 threats to global public health. HPV vaccination is another example of the impact of anti-vaccination movements. As viral videos originating on YouTube spread across social networks, uptake has tumbled in a number of countries, with Japan, Denmark, Colombia and Ireland being badly hit. In Japan, the government came under sufficient pressure that they de-recommended HPV vaccine, seeing an 80% uptake rate fall below 1% in 2014. There have been reports of successful interventions by national governments. A recent campaign run by the HPV Alliance (a coalition of some 35 private companies, charities and public institutions) in Ireland has seen rates below 40% back up to a national average of 75%. A combination of hard-hitting personal testimonials, social media and traditional media promoted the HPV vaccine. Despite this, systematic engagement and supranational strategies are still in the early stages of being formulated. As misleading information spread through social media and digital networks has undesirable impact on attitudes to vaccination (and uptake rates), urgent actions are required. Analysis and visualisation techniques mining data streams from social media platforms, such as Twitter, Youtube enable real-time understanding of vaccine sentiments and information flows. Through identification of key influencers and flashpoints in articles about vaccination going viral, targeted public health responses could be developed. This roundtable discussion will showcase different ways in which media and social networks, accessible in real-time provide an opportunity for detecting a change in public confidence in vaccines, for identifying users and rumors and for assessing potential impact in order to know how to best respond. Key messages Social media has significantly enhanced our understanding of anti-vaccination movements and potential impact on public health attitudes and behaviors regarding vaccination. Innovative methods of analysing social media data, from digital health, data science and computer science, have an important role in developing health promotions to counter anti-vaccination movements.

scholarly journals E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury: a review

Pneumonia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel H. Belok ◽  
Raj Parikh ◽  
John Bernardo ◽  
Hasmeena Kathuria
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Disease Entity ◽  
Case Definitions ◽  
Health Implications ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Other Substances

Abstract Background E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) is a disease entity related to the use of battery-operated or superheating devices that create an aerosolized form of nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or other substances for inhalation. Methods We performed a literature review to document epidemiology, pathogenesis and risk factors, diagnosis, clinical presentation, evaluation and management of EVALI. Results In the summer of 2019, an outbreak of EVALI cases brought this disease entity into the national spotlight. Since being recognized as a serious pulmonary disease with public health implications, more than 2600 cases have been reported to CDC with 68 deaths as of February 2020. The pathophysiology of EVALI remains unknown. Substances such as Vitamin E acetate have been implicated as a possible causes of lung injury. The CDC has established case definitions of “confirmed EVALI” cases to help guide identification of the disease and assist in surveillance. While clinical judgement by healthcare providers is imperative in the identification of EVALI cases, the heterogeneous presentations of EVALI make this difficult as well. Ultimately most investigative studies should be aimed at ruling out other disease processes that can present similarly. Treatment is centered around removing the offending substance and providing supportive care. Conclusions EVALI is a serious pulmonary disease with public health implications. Diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion to diagnose and exclusion of other possible causes of lung disease. It may be beneficial to involve a pulmonary specialist early in the management of this disease which is generally supportive care.

scholarly journals Cannabis Surveillance With Twitter Data: Emerging Topics and Social Bots

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon-Patrick Allem ◽  
Patricia Escobedo ◽  
Likhit Dharmapuri
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Pain Anxiety ◽  
Polysubstance Use ◽  
Twitter Data ◽  
Text Classifiers ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Emerging Topics

Objectives. To use publicly accessible data from people who post to Twitter to rapidly capture and describe the public’s recent experiences with cannabis. Methods. We obtained Twitter posts containing cannabis-related terms from May 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. We used methods to distinguish between posts from social bots and nonbots. We used text classifiers to identify topics in posts (n = 60 861). Results. Prevalent topics of posts included using cannabis with mentions of cannabis initiation, processed cannabis products, and health and medical with posts suggesting that cannabis could help with cancer, sleep, pain, anxiety, depression, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Polysubstance use was a common topic with mentions of cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, LSD, meth, mushrooms, and Xanax along with cannabis. Social bots regularly made health claims about cannabis. Conclusions. Findings suggest that processed cannabis products, unsubstantiated health claims about cannabis products, and the co-use of cannabis with legal and illicit substances warrant considerations by public health researchers in the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document