Black newborn babies in the United States are more likely to survive childbirth if they are cared for by Black doctors, but three times more likely than White Babies to die when looked after by White doctors, a study has found.

The mortality rate of Black newborns in hospital shrunk by between 39% and 58% when Black physicians took charge of the birth, according to the research, which laid bare how shocking racial disparities in human health can affect even the first hours of a person’s life.

By contrast, the mortality rate for White babies was largely unaffected by the doctor’s race.

The findings support previous research, which has shown that, while infant mortality rates have fallen in recent decades, Black children remain significantly more likely to die early than their White counterparts.

US infant mortality rates decline, CDC study says, but Black infants still twice as likely to die

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Welcome back to my blog❣️ It's hard to not come across a series of “perfect✨” faces and bodies when scrolling through Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat today. The image of sharp jawlines, perfect skin, petite waists and accentuated features is the mainstay of image-based social media sites. Some of them are filtered or cropped while others are associated with cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery. Social media has taken plastic surgery from a private medical choice to a highly publicized web trend, which has brought up some significant issues of digital citizenship, health education and body image (Wen, Chia, & Hao, 2015).

Visual social media platforms are meant to prompt users to showcase a hyper-realistic version of themselves. Social media algorithms tend to favour content that gets attention and engagement, particularly captivating body images. This leaves pressure on users, especially the young female, to continually present a “golden image” on the internet. Posts with a more conventional draw will likely get more likes, shares and recommendations. Thus, beauty ideals get restricted and unattainable online😞 (Carah & Dobson, 2016).

Platforms such as Instagram and YouTube have in particular seen an abundance of plastic surgery content. Not only is there education, but marketing too using plastic surgery related hashtags are widely used😯 (Dorfman et al., 2018). Before and after photos, videos of procedures, and recovery stories will be posted by surgeons, influencers, and clinics to draw in viewers and clients. Some of this content might be informative, but it also can help normalise cosmetic surgery as a regular self-improvement option (Dorfman et al., 2018).

Online influencers are a significant influence in the attitude towards body modification. In the realm of digital culture, beauty and attention can be monetized through sponsorships, ads, and followers. It can push influencers and followers into setting unrealistic beauty standards, leading to cosmetic enhancements to seek online approval (Drenten et al., n.d.).

Meanwhile, platform algorithms determine who sees what creators and content online. Algorithmic invisibility occurs when creators don't receive visibility of their content on social media platforms because they are determined by their algorithms. This puts pressure on creators to evolve around platform standards and trends that are geared towards beauty and appearance. People will think that to be relevant or successful, they NEED to look good online🗣️ (Duffy & Meisner, 2022).

Health education is important to help the user to critically think about the risks and realities of cosmetic surgery. While the procedures may look glamorous on the internet, there are health, psychological and economic concerns. Many social media posts do not talk about the complications, the pain of the recovery or the mental health effect❤️‍🩹.A lot of social media posts do not mention the complications, the pain of the recovery or mental health effect (Victorian Government Health Minister, 2019).

Cosmetic surgery also influences public opinion, as seen in media outlets such as YouTube. Cosmetic surgery videos are typically seen in a favorable light, highlighting the confidence and transformation that comes from the procedure while downplaying the risks⚠️. These changes are often met with applause from the audience, reinforcing the notion that changing one's appearance brings happiness and social acceptance (Wen, Chia, & Hao, 2015).

The digital citizenship aspect of this is that users need to be equipped to interact with social media in a responsible, yet critical, way. Digital citizenship is about awareness of how algorithms, influencers, and online cultures impact self-image and decision making. Practicing critical thinking to question perfectionistic ideals💡, identifying sponsored and edited content and researching accurate medical information before undergoing cosmetic procedures (Duffy & Meisner, 2022; Carah & Dobson, 2016).

In conclusion, plastic surgery in the context of social media platforms visuals is a reflection of those issues of identity, beauty, and online culture. Social media can also be used to help give education and support, but it can also worsen body dissatisfaction and social pressure. Media literacy and health education is an important component in enabling people to make informed choices and have positive, healthy interactions with their body online💖.

Reference

Carah, N., & Dobson, A. (2016). Algorithmic hotness: Young women’s “promotion” and “reconnaissance” work via social media body images. Social Media + Society.

Dorfman, R. G., Vaca, E. E., Mahmood, E., Fine, N. A., & Schierle, C. F. (2018). Plastic surgery-related hashtag utilization on Instagram: Implications for education and marketing. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 38(3), 332–338.

Drenten, J., Gurrieri, L., & Tyler, M. Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Gender, Work and Organization.

Duffy, B. E., & Meisner, C. (2022). Platform governance at the margins: Social media creators’ experiences with algorithmic (in)visibility. Media, Culture & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221111923

Victorian Government Health Minister. (2019). Protecting Victorians From Dodgy Cosmetic Surgery.

Hi everyone 👋 welcome back to my blog!

In this week's reflection, I will discuss how visual social media platforms influence body modification and health education. Social media has become an important part of everyday life, especially on visual platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. These platforms allow users to share photos and videos, but they also shape how people think about beauty, appearance, and self-image.

One of the most noticeable features on visual social media is the use of filters. Beauty filters can smooth skin, enlarge eyes, and alter facial features, creating an idealised appearance. While filters can be entertaining, they may also encourage unrealistic beauty standards. Research has found that exposure to idealised images on social media can negatively affect body image and increase appearance-related concerns among users (Vendemia et al., 2021).

In addition to filters, content related to body modification such as Botox, lip fillers, and cosmetic surgery has become increasingly common. Influencers, celebrities, and cosmetic clinics frequently share transformation videos and treatment experiences online. This type of content can influence how people view cosmetic procedures and may normalise body modification as part of everyday beauty routines (Chen et al., 2024).

However, social media is not only a source of beauty pressure. It can also serve as a valuable platform for health education. Many qualified doctors and healthcare professionals use social media to explain cosmetic procedures, discuss potential risks, and provide evidence-based information. This allows users to access health-related knowledge more easily and make informed decisions about their bodies.

From a digital citizenship perspective, it is important for users to think critically about the content they consume online. Not all beauty and health information shared on social media is accurate or trustworthy. Digital citizens should evaluate sources carefully, verify information, and understand that many images online are edited or filtered (Choi, 2020).

Overall, filters, fillers, and social media feeds have significantly influenced how people perceive beauty and body modification. While visual social media can be an effective tool for health education, users must develop critical thinking skills and media literacy to navigate online content responsibly.

Thank You

Reference

Choi, M. (2020). Digital citizenship for democratic citizenship: A challenge for transformative learning. Adult Learning, 31(4), 141–148. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306930360_A_Concept_Analysis_of_Digital_Citizenship_for_Democratic_Citizenship_Education_in_the_Internet_Age

Chen, J., Ishii, M., Bater, K. L., Darrach, H., Liao, D., Huynh, P. P., & Czerwinski, M. (2024). Social media and cosmetic procedures: The impact of visual platforms on aesthetic perceptions and decision-making. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 44(2), 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjad245

Alt text: We explore the fascinating world of vaginal health using a creative Demon Slayer analogy, explaining how lactobacillus acts as 'defenders' maintaining the delicate pH balance and why douching is harmful to the vaginal ecosystem.