What is a Twitter Chat
A Twitter Chat is a running conversation on Twitter during a set time that revolves around a predetermined topic. The Twitter Chat can be found, followed, and contributed to by using a designated hashtag. For this Twitter chat on minorities and colorectal cancer it will be #CRCminorities.
Why participate in a Twitter Chat?
Participating in a Twitter Chat let’s you be part of an important conversation, and allows you to pull up a seat at the table next to survivors, providers, organizations, and institutions. It is your chance to have your voice heard and to make your experience and work matter. It is also a great way to connect with others in the shared space who have a vested interested in the cause.
How to participate in a Twitter Chat?
For one hour, anyone interested is welcome to be part of the discussion topic of the Twitter Chat. Every Twitter Chat has a topic, and the questions asked revolve around this. It’s easy to join by following and using a designated hashtag which will be promoted in advance and used with very question asked.
There are a set number of predetermined questions that will be presented in scheduled increments. Each question will be preceded with “Q1” through “Q8,” and participants can retweet with an answer appropriately labeled “A1” through “A8.” The Colon Cancer Coalition will be asking the questions from their Twitter account (@gyrig) and everyone should retweet any question they want to answer with their response so their answer makes sense.
Feel free to attach any resources, links, or photos in your response that will help support your answer. Responding to the questions live during the Twitter Chat is not a requirement for participation. We hope others will join in the hours and days after the chat, as the responses reverberate throughout Twitter.
Twitter Chat Questions:
Q1: We often hear people refer to barriers to colorectal cancer screening for minorities. What are some of the more common or lesser known barriers? #CRCminorities
Q2: There is historical medical abuse of African-Americans and other minority people groups, giving way to medical mistrust. How are we bypassing the medical setting to reach a community facing serious health disparities? #CRCminorities
Q3: What are some ways we’re tackling cultural and language barriers to screening in immigrant and minority communities? #CRCminorities
Q4: Mortality rates from #colorectalcancer are highest in African-Americans. What are some examples of internal messages and awareness from within the African-American community that raise the alarm and talk about #colorectalcancer screening and prevention? #CRCminorities
Q5: Access to healthy food (food deserts) and opportunities for fitness can be limited in minority communities because they aren’t available, or financial barriers make them inaccessible. What can/is being done to improve access to these preventative measures? #CRCminorities
Q6: Immigration status is keeping people from seeking out non-emergency/routine medical care. What can be done in immigrant communities do to dispel these concerns and enable people to seek preventative health care? #CRCminorities
Q7: In many minority groups, the advice of community leaders, elders, and family members will be most valued and trusted. What is going to inspire leaders to rise up and speak out about cancer screening and prevention in their communities? #CRCminorities
Q8: Many minorities are working hourly jobs, and don’t have the luxury of taking time off for a colonoscopy. A day of missed work is a huge financial hit for their family. What are ways we are working around these barriers to ensure people can get screened? #CRCminorities
Conclusion: There are many amazing community programs that help remove barriers to screening. Let’s wrap up the Twitter Chat by giving a shoutout to any programs that you know of or are working on to help close the gap on #colorectalcancer screening disparities. #CRCminorities
