# 4394
The HHS began to explore the potential of `new media’ several years ago and have moved heavily in that direction over the past 18 months.
In 2007, they sponsored a truly remarkable experiment – The Pandemic Flu Leadership Blog - where they invited a dozen people from around the nation to weigh in on pandemic issues. I was very fortunate to be among those invited to take part.
Later that year, then Secretary of the HHS Michael Leavitt began his own blog, becoming the first cabinet level official to blog on the Internet.
Since then the agencies of the HHS (there are 11 of them) all have all improved their web presence, and most are now utilizing `new media’ outlets like Facebook, YouTube videos, Podcasts, and Twitter.
The HHS held a contest last summer inviting the public to create the best Pandemic Flu PSA (see Make A Flu Video And Maybe Win $2500), and have produced literally scores of informative videos of their own.
Over the past year, I’ve chronicled some of their new media advances:
CDC Uses Social Media To Spread Swine Flu Information
HHS Unveils New Media Website
Feedback On The HHS's PandemicFlu.Gov Site
All of this is new territory for government agencies, and just like setting up a flu forum or blogging on infectious diseases, there really isn’t a handbook out there to tell you how to do it. Those who work in the `new media’ are truly trailblazers.
Today, Sharon Sanders of FluTrackers will interview a couple of these pioneers on Radio Sandy Springs at 4pm EST.
Richard Stapleton - Deputy Director of Web Communications and New Media - Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Andrew Wilson - Web Manager & New Media Strategist - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
This should be a fascinating hour. I was lucky enough to spend some time with Andrew last September during my D.C. trip, so I look forward to hearing him today.
If you miss the show, it will be available on the Radio Sandy Springs Show Archive in a couple of days.
