Social Media as a Tool for Public Health: Reviewing the Use of Social Media for Disease Surveillance, Behavioral...

Social media has transformed public health communication from a one-sided approach to a more interactive model, facilitating discussions on symptoms, treatments, and personal experiences among patients and caregivers, often without health professionals' involvement. Public health agencies recognised social media's potential for cost-effective, rapid outreach and real-time feedback, influencing health perceptions and behaviors. However, this platform also risks amplifying misinformation and conflicting narratives. Beyond communication, social media supports disease surveillance, influences health behaviors, and disseminates critical information during emergencies, improving responses while requiring careful risk communication to prevent confusion. The need for a review is emphasised to analyse social media's role in health promotion, risks, and ethical integration into health systems, focusing on its impact, methods utilised, and balancing transparency with misinformation management. This review aims to create a literature-informed narrative that guides future research and public health communication strategies.