Facebook can help improve your health

2:31am Friday 25th January 2008

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HEALTH bosses in south Essex are using one of the world's most popular websites to promote healthy living.

The South East Essex Primary Care Trust has set up a group on the social networking site Facebook to share information on issues such as sexual health, diet, smoking and alcohol.

Jo Apicella, from the PCT, said: "More than a third of a million people live in south east Essex and this is a diverse population.

"We use many different channels to share information with them, on healthy living and our services.

"It is important we try new mediums because different people gather information in different ways. Some favour television and radio, others will read newspapers and magazines.

"But a growing percentage use the internet and we can reach a significant number of people by using a site as popular as Facebook."

Facebook users can search for the group by typing in South East Essex Primary Care Trust in the website's search engine.

There is information available on the group about the PCT, and also on chlamydia and the PCT's free condom service. More information will be uploaded over the next few weeks.

Simon Ford, the PCT's health promotion specialist, said: "It doesn't cost anything to use Facebook.

"This is another facility to share useful and sometimes vital information with people in the area on healthy living and the health services we provide."