Angola’s Social Media Stars Join WHO in Life-Saving Cholera Awareness Campaign
The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted an innovative strategy to combat preventable diseases in Angola by engaging digital influencers to spread critical health messages through social media platforms.
This initiative responds to the ongoing cholera outbreak that began in January 2025, which has affected 27,609 people and caused 769 deaths across 18 provinces. Alongside traditional containment measures, WHO is actively occupying the digital space to counter misinformation and promote lifesaving practices, especially targeting young audiences.
Between May 15 and July 22, WHO’s “Together Against Cholera” campaign featured six Angolan influencers, Dr. Aurea de Carvalho, Carla Morais, Xofela, Leocádia Tamara, Maria Correia, and Stela de Carvalho, who produced educational videos on hygiene, sanitation, and public health. These videos were widely shared on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The campaign achieved significant reach, garnering over 600,000 views, with an average of 3,353 likes, 100 shares, and 70 comments per post, totaling more than 20,000 interactions. Television presenter Stela de Carvalho called the campaign “a way to use my voice to save lives,” while influencer Xofela emphasized social media’s potential as a tool for the common good.
João Carlos Domingos, WHO Communications Assistant in Angola, explained, “Digital has become the main channel of information for many young people, but it is also where a lot of misinformation circulates. We need to fill that space with content that saves lives.”
Buoyed by the campaign’s success, WHO Angola plans to expand this digital influencer approach to other public health challenges, including malaria, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis. The influencers involved have expressed strong interest in continuing their collaboration, reinforcing digital communication’s vital role as a public health ally.
