Envisioning 2.0

With increasing numbers of manufacturers and retailers recalling peanut-containing products such as peanut butter daily, it is very difficult for consumers to figure out what foods to avoid and how the government is responding.  Now, the CDC and its sister agency the FDA, have turned to social media to help quickly disseminate information about the various recalls.

For example, tomorrow, the CDC will be holding a Webinar specifically for bloggers designed to “give blog writers the chance to speak with FDA and CDC subject matter experts about the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak efforts and future resources for bloggers during food safety incidents.”  This is an important step, as bloggers often spread the word about health news items and have a broader reach (via social network and search engine effects) than traditional media publications.

The blogger Webinar is very interesting and I encourage those interested in learning more about the peanut recall and the government’s evolving crisis communications strategies to attend.  It will take place tomorrow February 3 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Yesterday the world learned that President-elect Barack Obama is thinking about naming CNN journalist and neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta to the post of U.S. Surgeon General.   Overall, the reaction to his pick has not been positive.  I’m a regular user of the microblogging platform Twitter and one of my colleagues said (about the post): “Are you ____ kidding me?”

There are many objections to Gupta’s potential appointment, and many of them have to do with his public health qualifications.  In short, he has none.  Gerard M. Farrell, who serves as executive director of the Commissioned Officers Association told the Washington Post “I am unaware of any public health experience or qualifications he has to be the leader of the nation’s public health service . . . This would be akin to appointing the Army chief of staff from the city council of Hoboken.”

Harsh words.  But others believe that the Surgeon General plays a very important role as a communicator.  Many of us remember how former Surgeon General C Everret Koop, the nation’s first “celebrity” Surgeon General transformed how the nation discussed tobacco and viewed HIV/AIDS.  Given Gupta’s high profile,  he could greatly aid public health efforts to reduce obesity and help Americans accept the incoming administration’s health reform proposals.

Although Gupta’s celebrity status could be helpful for health communication and education efforts, there is much to the Surgeon General’s job that takes place behind the scenes.  The Surgeon General plays a key role in setting the nation’s public health agenda and needs the respect and support of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and people at the CDC.  Will he be viewed as a lightweight by people within both organizations and spend more time getting up to speed rather than setting the agenda?  Only time will tell.

Regardless of whether Obama ultimately selects Gupta for the post, this it yet another interesting choice in what is shaping up to be a very celebrity heavy administration.