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Social Media Use in Emergency Response to Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review With a Public Health Perspective
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
  • Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Sylvia K. Ofori, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Lauren C. Bayliss, Georgia Southern University
  • Jessica S Schwind, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Kadiatou Diallo, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Manyun Liu, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Jingjing Yin, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health
  • Gerardo Chowell, Georgia State University
  • Isaac Fung, Georgia Southern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-9-2020
DOI
10.1017/dmp.2020.3
Abstract

Social media research during natural disasters has been presented as a tool to guide response and relief efforts in the disciplines of geography and computer sciences. This systematic review highlights the public health implications of social media use in the response phase of the emergency, assessing (1) how social media can improve the dissemination of emergency warning and response information during and after a natural disaster, and (2) how social media can help identify physical, medical, functional, and emotional needs after a natural disaster. We surveyed the literature using 3 databases and included 44 research articles. We found that analyses of social media data were performed using a wide range of spatiotemporal scales. Social media platforms were identified as broadcasting tools presenting an opportunity for public health agencies to share emergency warnings. Social media was used as a tool to identify areas in need of relief operations or medical assistance by using self-reported location, with map development as a common method to visualize data. In retrospective analyses, social media analysis showed promise as an opportunity to reduce the time of response and to identify the individuals’ location. Further research for misinformation and rumor control using social media is needed.

Comments

Copyright and Open Access: http://sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/1935-7893/

Citation Information
Kamalich Muniz-Rodriguez, Sylvia K. Ofori, Lauren C. Bayliss, Jessica S Schwind, et al.. "Social Media Use in Emergency Response to Natural Disasters: A Systematic Review With a Public Health Perspective" Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness Vol. 14 Iss. 1 (2020) p. 139 - 149 ISSN: 1938-744X
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/isaac_fung1/163/