Health monitoring via Twitter - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Health monitoring via Twitter

Posted: Updated:
JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -

The government is hoping to harness the power of Twitter to learn what health issues are trending in your area.

Recent research shows trending topics on social media are often an early indicator of emerging health issues.

A Department of Health and Human Services has come up with the "Now Trending Challenge," that asks computer savvy adults to develop a program that keeps track of trending illnesses on twitter.

They hope to customize the results by region, so users can learn the top five health concerns in their area.

Now Trending Challenge

Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.