Lauren Backstrom's Page

In a recent study out of the University of Michigan, it was found that by adding an online community social element to an online health program, in this case an Internet-based walking program, the number of participants who disengaged was reduced dramatically.



The results showed that 79% of participants who used the online forums to motivate each other, completed the 16 week program, compared to only 66% who completed it from the group who did not utilize the social… Continue

An article on Mashable this morning highlights a plan to move into the next generation for 911 - using text messaging, images and even video as emergency requests.



While the plans make take some time to put into place, the FCC is also now pushing to add the technology to 911 emergency requests. Especially for young people who might prefer to text, finding it quicker and more intuitive, this new plan would be ideal - but we have also seen several examples where texting has been the… Continue

While we all know there are many benefits and positive outcomes resulting from being socially connected, one new study shows that too much of a good thing, is bad for teens.



A new study warns that excessive use of social media -- specifically, "hypertexting" (sending more than 120 messages

per school day) and "hypernetworking" (spending more than three hours

per day on sites like Facebook) -- is linked to dangerous health

problems and… Continue

Mashable posted a blog on a topic that not many of us probably think too much about - the global water crisis. They point out that every 20 seconds a child dies from water-related disease. Also surprising is how much water is used in growing just 1 apple (70 liters). The world's resources of usable water are shrinking - which will clearly present many health problems globally if we don't do something to help.



Thankfully, Mashable has collected… Continue