The connection between social support networks and a variety of health and medical conditions is well documented (see also Social Support and Physical Health). The nature of health care provider-patient communications and its relation to health outcomes has also received much attention in the health care literature. How these social networks and interpersonal relationships actually influence health and medical outcomes is less well understood. Daniel Goleman offers an intriguing look at social neuroscience in the NYTimes.
The most significant finding was the discovery of “mirror neurons,” a widely dispersed class of brain cells that operate like neural WiFi. Mirror neurons track the emotional flow, movement and even intentions of the person we are with, and replicate this sensed state in our own brain by stirring in our brain the same areas active in the other person.
Mirror neurons offer a neural mechanism that explains emotional
contagion, the tendency of one person to catch the feelings of another,
particularly if strongly expressed. This brain-to-brain link may also
account for feelings of rapport, which research finds depend in part on
extremely rapid synchronization of people’s posture, vocal pacing and
movements as they interact. In short, these brain cells seem to allow
the interpersonal orchestration of shifts in physiology...
...the emotional status of our main relationships has a significant impact on our overall pattern of cardiovascular and neuroendocrine activity.
As we look at the role social media can play in public health and health care, it is important to remember that it is not just a set of tactics we are exploring, but a way of thinking about health behaviors that focuses on understanding, enabling and expanding social networks. After all, getting screened for asymptomatic illnesses and medical conditions (high blood pressure, breast or cervical cancer), modifying one's lifestyle to lose weight or be more physically active, stop engaging in addictive behaviors such as cigarette smoking and substance abuse, complying with regimens to treat and manage conditions from HIV to diabetes, and adopting behaviors to prevent unintentional injuries (seat belt use, fall prevention in the elderly) all involve social networks - spouses, other family members, relatives, friends, co-workers, other patients, etc...
That there may be biological mechanisms to explain how social networks influence our health strengthens the argument to understand the world of social media. The more we learn about social networks and how to engage them for health improvement and health promotion, the more opportunities we can offer to people to enable them to live productive and satisfying lives.
The next time you catch yourself mirroring someone, are they healthy vibes?
Technorati Tags: Health Care, Health Communication, Health Promotion, Social Media, Social Networks, Social Neuroscience, Social Support
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