#4Corners4Health

Helping Young Adults in Rural Areas Lower Their Cancer Risk Through Social Media

We know that young adults (18-26 years old) sometimes do things that can increase their risk of getting cancer later in life. Things like drinking too much alcohol, spending too much time in the sun, not getting the HPV vaccine, not exercising enough, eating unhealthy foods, and using nicotine through vaping. These risks may be even higher for young people living in rural areas.

For this very reason, researchers from several universities in the four corner area are working together to create a social media campaign called "#4Corners4Health" to help young adults make healthier choices.

Why is this important?

• Cancer Risks: Young adults in rural areas are more likely to engage in risky health behaviors.
• Social Media Use: Young adults spend a lot of time on social media, making it a great way to reach them.
• Misinformation: Social media can also spread wrong or misleading information about health, so we want to teach young adults how to tell what's true and reliable.
  

What will the campaign do?

• We'll create fun and informative social media posts about healthy habits.
• We'll teach young adults how to spot fake health information online.
• We'll work with young adults and community groups to make sure the campaign is helpful.
  

How will we know if it works?

• We'll ask young adults about their habits before and after the campaign.
• We'll see if they are drinking less, using less nicotine, getting more exercise, eating better, protecting themselves from the sun, and getting vaccinated.
• We will see if learning about health and how to use social media helps them change their habits.
  

Why is this project special?

• It focuses on many cancer risks at once.
• It uses social media, which is very popular with young adults.
• It teaches young adults how to spot misinformation and which sources they can trust online.
  

The Goal:

We want to help young adults in rural areas make healthier choices so they can have a lower risk of cancer in the future. We believe that using social media in a smart way can make a big difference.