Currently submitted to: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jul 22, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 28, 2026 - Sep 22, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Beyond the Clinic: Can Physician-Led Social Media Improve Cardiovascular Prevention? An Infodemiology Analysis of a Bilingual Instagram Initiative in Morocco
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, while misinformation regarding cardiovascular prevention continues to circulate widely on social media. In low- and middle-income countries, physician-led social media initiatives may represent an innovative and scalable strategy to disseminate evidence-based prevention messages beyond the traditional clinical setting.
Objective:
To evaluate the potential of a physician-operated bilingual (French–Arabic) Instagram initiative to disseminate cardiovascular prevention messages, characterize audience engagement, and identify the content characteristics associated with greater public reach.
Methods:
A retrospective infodemiology study was conducted using Instagram analytics from a physician-led account dedicated to cardiovascular prevention in Morocco. Posts were classified according to publication type (Reels and carousels), language, educational theme, and content format. Primary outcomes included reach, views, engagement, shares, and saves. Comparative analyses between publication types and thematic categories were performed using appropriate non-parametric statistical methods.
Results:
The initiative achieved extensive dissemination of evidence-based cardiovascular prevention messages, reaching a population far beyond the existing follower base. Educational content addressing physical activity, cardiovascular risk factors, nutrition, and lifestyle generated the highest engagement. Reels and carousels appeared to play complementary educational roles, while bilingual communication increased accessibility for the target population.
Conclusions:
Physician-led social media may represent an effective and low-cost complement to conventional cardiovascular prevention strategies. By delivering scientifically validated information in accessible bilingual formats, physicians can extend preventive education beyond clinical practice, improve health literacy, and contribute to combating health misinformation. Future studies should evaluate whether digital engagement translates into measurable improvements in cardiovascular risk awareness and preventive behaviours.
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