The Rise of The Health Activist

I am delighted to announce that we have at Kathie Melocco joined WEGO Health Press Corps - for Health Activists. We'll be sharing with you the opportunities to attend and report from health and social media conferences - without paying to get in! Opportunities will also be carried over into our social justice community at The Brave Discussion, where there is a large patient and health activist community as well. 

Attending as press corp enables you to hear new medical developments first hand and update your communities, share your stories and where necessary advocate on issues that you know first hand matter to your own health networks. 

We'll also be offering storytelling workshops for our health activist community, where as leaders you will learn how to use narrative power analysis to build deeper engagement with your communities. 

Joining the WEGO Press Corps is a natural fit for us as we work to build:
1. The largest Blogger Health Activist Network in the Asia Pacific
2: Work with Healthcare Practitioners and Health Organisations developing their digital story, digital embassies and training them in social media.

If you are a Health Activist with a blog that would like to be considered to attend a relevant health conference in Australia please send us an email. 

Our new website with joining details will also be activated soon.

Attending a Health/Medical Conference means that you agree to:

• Live tweeting, blogging, vlogging, and/or facebooking of the conference, including attending as many sessions as possible and sending out at least 3 tweets per session
• 3-4 tweets or posts helping us spread the word about the Health Press Corps
• One recap blog post of the conference for our Health Blog (and your own blog if you have one)

In exchange, we'll provide you with free registration for the conference AND feature your coverage on our own social media networks!

Who are Health Activists?
Health Activists are leaders who work daily to improve the way people talk and think about health. If you are sharing your health story and helping others live better lives – you may already be a Health Activist. Health Activists are passionate about raising awareness for health causes, dedicated to finding the best information about health conditions, and relentless in their commitment to help others. They are also adept at using every tool possible to reach their communities, especially through social media.

It’s important to remember that health activism takes many forms, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” when it comes to raising awareness for your health condition. Whether you’re just starting your exploration into health advocacy or are a seasoned health communicator, there is a place for everyone in the world of health activism.

Maybe you write a blog centered on living with your condition. Maybe you spend time answering others’ questions in a forum. Maybe you love to spread the word about health news through social media. Some Health Activists have started their own online communities, others have fronted their own non-profit organizations, and still more have petitioned, rallied, or raised funds for health charities. Health Activists are as diverse as they are dedicated.

Each Health Activist has a unique story but most start his or her journey with self-education, empowerment, and understanding about a specific health condition. Through personal experience and by eagerly pursuing knowledge of certain conditions, Health Activists first stood out from the pack of online health users. By collecting that information and sharing that knowledge, they truly became leaders.

Health Activists talk about health every day and find genuine pleasure in offering support and advice to others online. They answer questions, offer resources, and help bring the sense of empowerment they have found in their own lives outward to others. Health Activists work in different spaces, both online and offline. Some Health Activists are content creators, bloggers, or lead forums, while others hold Twitter chats, or record video tutorials. Some Health Activists have started non-profits, support groups, or awareness campaigns. Some Health Activists have enacted legislation, while others have created something buzzworthy through social media. All Health Activists are: a voice for their condition, devoted to their health communities, and quality leaders. 

Now what?

You are already doing what Health Activists do best: sharing your stories and inspiring and empowering others. Continue doing what you're doing, and gain the support of other Health Activists by banding together, across conditions, in online and offline communities. Don't be afraid to embrace being a Health Activist – the change you are making improves the lives of many; patients and healthcare providers alike benefit from your work. Wear your Health Activist title proudly and continue to inspire others!