Numerous studies suggest that people with a variety of health concerns are increasingly turning to online networks for social support. As a result, the number of online support communities has risen over the past two decades. Global Perspectives on Health Communication in the Age of Social Media is a critical scholarly resource that examines the illness and pain-and-suffering narrative of health communication. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics, such as social networks, patient empowerment, and e-health, this book is geared towards professionals and researchers in health informatics as well as students, practitioners, clinicians, and academics.