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Poster Presentation

Health Communication

Thursday Evening Poster Reception

THURS-110 - Scrolling into Action: How Tiktok Health Content Relates to Short-term Behavior Among Young Adults

Thursday, April 23, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Location: Plaza Foyer, Plaza Level
Area of Responsibility: Area VI: Communication
Keywords: Health Behavior@@@Social Media, Subcompetencies: 6.1 Determine factors that affect communication with the identified audience(s)., 6.1.3 Identify communication channels (e.g., social media and mass media) available to and used by the audience(s).
Research or Practice: Research

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
  • Describe relationships between TikTok health content exposure and short-term health behaviors.
  • Analyze how cross-domain frameworks clarify social media’s impact on health actions.
  • Discuss how TikTok can be used as a health tool
Brief Abstract Summary: Learn how health-related TikTok content influences real-world behaviors among adults aged 18–30. This pilot survey examines patterns of TikTok use, exposure to health information, and behaviors across diet, physical activity, sleep, substance use, mental health, preventive care, and sexual health. Attendees will discover how online engagement can translate into tangible health actions, gain insights into measuring the impact of digital content, and explore strategies to leverage social media for promoting positive health behaviors.

Detailed abstract description: TikTok has emerged as a major source of health information for young adults, yet little is known about how exposure to health-related content influences offline health behaviors. This pilot survey investigates short-term associations between engagement with health-related TikTok content and real-world behaviors among adults aged 18–30. Participants report patterns of TikTok use, the frequency and types of health content they encounter, and behaviors across multiple domains, including diet, physical activity, sleep, substance use, mental health, preventive care, and sexual health.
Unlike prior studies that focus solely on content analysis or user perceptions, this research directly examines whether online exposure translates into tangible health actions. By using a cross-domain framework, it captures the interplay between social media and diverse health behaviors rather than a single outcome, providing a holistic understanding of TikTok’s influence.
Attendees will gain insights into how health messaging on popular social media platforms can shape behavior in real time, learn about practical approaches for measuring the impact of digital health content, and explore implications for designing interventions that leverage TikTok and similar platforms to promote positive health outcomes. Findings from this study offer actionable guidance for researchers, public health practitioners, and health communicators seeking to engage young adults where they already spend significant time online, highlighting strategies to convert digital exposure into meaningful behavioral change.