Online social networks are becoming an increasingly prevalent strategy for public health and other stakeholders to cut down unhealthy behaviors, such as postpartum weight loss and smoking cessation. A unique benefit of an online social network is it brings people together in a way to support each other that no other treatment modality is capable of accomplishing.

The internet is the first place that many tobacco users seek help to quit. But what makes online quit-smoking programs effective? A new study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine uncovered important insights about what motivates the actions that smokers take.

An online social network does help smokers quit, especially when participants actively engage in the community. In this U.S. News and World Report story, Senior Vice President Amanda Graham, Ph.D., shared study results of more than 2,600 smokers on BecomeAnEX.org.

Military caregivers face significant stressors in caring for their loved ones. Smoking is a common coping strategy. In partnership with Hidden Heroes, an Elizabeth Dole Foundation initiative that supports military caregivers, the EX Program provides specialized support to caregivers for quitting tobacco.

Client Success Director Jessie Saul blogged about trending digital tools that help more smokers quit for the 2017 Connected Health Conference. At the Boston meeting, she shared her insights on a panel titled “Applying Digital Tools to Personal & Public Health.”