The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Promote Safe Holidays Using New Media

In an effort to keep the American people safe this holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a number of holiday health tips using various forms of media.

The CDC published traditional articles on topics like holiday food to eat during pregnancy and managing diabetes during holiday celebrations, but they also created holiday health help using e-cards, social media, podcasts and other forms of new media.

“During the holidays, we’re often cooking bigger meals for more people than we’re used to,” said Dr. Barbara Mahon, Deputy Chief, Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch of the CDC on the center’s website.  “That’s why it’s particularly important to remember and follow the food safety steps: cook, separate, clean and chill during this time of year. Foodborne illnesses are at the very least unpleasant, but they can also be dangerous.”

To help consumers with their holiday food health queries, the CDC hosted a Twitter chat on Dec. 18. Using the hashtag “#CDCchat” people could ask questions and get helpful tips and advice.

Another medium that the CDC used to spread health tips was video production. They wrote and recorded their own carol called “The 12 Ways to Health Holiday Song.”

The song, a parody of the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” features health tips that range from managing stress and staying smoke-free to practicing fire safety and monitoring children during the holidays.

Using various technologies to support health initiatives is nothing new to the CDC. They have a number of health-related mobile apps for things like disease prevention and monitoring influenza breakouts.

For safe holiday decorating or help throughout the year, the CDC offers a ladder safety app that uses sound signals and visual graphics to show people how to position their ladders at the optimal angle for usability and safety.

The CDC also made it easy for people to share holiday health tips with friends and family by offering free holiday themed e-cards that provide helpful information in a fun, festive way.

Holiday e-cards from the CDC can be found here, including one that features “The 12 Ways to Health Holiday Song.”

Have a safe and happy holiday season!