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Background: Cigarette smokers have elevated cardiovascular risk factors, which contributes significantly to mortality. Although social media is a potential avenue to deliver smoking interventions, its role in health promotion among smokers remains relatively unexplored.Objective: To examine the uptake and impact of health-related social media use in cigarette smokers.Methods: Using data from the 2017–2020 Health Information National Trends Survey, we evaluated differences in health-related social media use between smokers and nonsmokers. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association between social media use and positive health behaviors.Results: We included 1863 current smokers and 13,560 nonsmokers; Most participants were women (51.0%), White (64.6%), and 49.2% were aged ≥50 years. Smokers who used ≥1 social media site for health-related purposes in the past year were significantly more likely to meet the guideline recommendations for: (i) weekly physical activity (AOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.23–3.24), (ii) daily vegetable intake (AOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.10–5.59), and (iii) weekly strength training (AOR 1.80, 95% CI 1.10–2.94). However, the odds of reporting intentions to quit smoking (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 0.98–3.34) and attempts at smoking cessation (AOR 1.68, 95% CI 0.90–3.12) did not differ by health-related social media use.Conclusion: Smokers use social media for health-related purposes at comparable rates to nonsmokers. While our findings indicate that these platforms present a novel opportunity for health promotion among smokers, future research exploring the utility of social media in smoking cessation is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the narratives and articulation of experiences of Cubans who left Cuba during the Mariel Boatlift that took place between late April and late September 1980 in response to Fidel Castro's Revolution. Electronically blogged entries were submitted in an attempt for Cuban-American emigrants to seek and share information about their experiences and help them locate the vessels that brought them to America originally (Barry and Rosenblatt, 2010). A Miami Herald database publicized in-depth information on one of the most important events of Cuban emigration. A reporter, data analyst, and Web developer worked for months to digitize and organize little-known data about the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, published to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the vessels' arrivals in the United States. The data sets proved to be more than mere numbers and names. Every record highlights what Cuban emigration means to each individual that is facing loss and embracing a new commitment and a story of change, conflict, and connection that shapes their values, hopes, and dreams as Cuban-Americans. Using the social work strengths perspective and empowerment that uses human strength and resiliency as a tool for helping individuals overcome personal obstacles and challenges, this study explores the process that assists troubled people to realize their full potential through the narrative analysis of 13 blogged representative entries extrapolated from 140 total entries, which included five males and seven females that responded to the 2010-2011 Mariel Boatlift database Miami Herald blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]