Twitter is a life-saver, literally

Twitter is changing the way people get information.  One big clue was when the first pics from the Hudson River plane crash were posted on Twitter before they hit anywhere else.

Now it’s swine flu! If you want the latest info, don’t wait for news outlets to update stories or the CDC to change its website–go to Twitter.

Whether it’s CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta on the ground in Mexico City or the CDC’s own Twitterstream, you can get faster and more up-to-date info than anywhere else.  Of course, always be sure to check the source but there are lots of reputable ones out there on the topic.

Another timely (although perhaps less trustworthy option) are local message boards like The Mommies Network sites where residents in your community may post information about themselves or those they know before local media has information.

Just something to add to your emergency preparedness plans.

Google Flu Trends

I think we are just beginning to touch the power of Google. I heard a report on the radio a few months ago about the massive amounts of data that Google processes daily and what could be learned from it. Now it is starting to make small steps into reality. 

Enter Google Flu Trends. Google did an experiment tracking the rise in flu-related search terms and compared to it to CDC tracking reports. The results were strikingly accurate. Not only that–they were 2 weeks ahead of CDC reporting.  The idea is that the number of people searching for flu-related articles and information correlates with people who actually have flu or flu-like illness.

Flu Trends is part of Google.org’s Predict and Prevent initiative to support efforts to :

“identify hotspots where new infectious diseases may emerge, detect new pathogens and outbreaks earlier, and respond quickly to prevent local threats from becoming global crises. “

Now you can use Google’s power to keep an eye on flu trends in your state so you can keep you and your family healthier.

Help Kids Keep Fit and Healthy With BAM

Body and Mind or BAM.gov is a site from the Centers for Disease Control that is designed to get tweens and teens (ages 9-13) interested in topics like healthy eating, disease preventions and even standing up to bullies–but seriously it’s really cool.

Designed with a graphic novel or comic book style, it addresses topics kids need to think about, but in engaging and creative ways.  For example, there are a variety of games such as

•  Ad Decoder (flip through magazine pages and see how advertisers try to get your attention),
•  Bully Roundup (tests your bullying smarts)
• Stress-o-meter (helps kids measure and manage their stress levels)

Other features include creating a customized fitness schedule, an exercise personality quiz, and tips on puberty and peer pressure.

It’s like health class, but more interesting.