Social media and Web traffic is more than an easy way to track our daily distractions. Researchers are using that data to find cases of illness. A new study from Boston Children’s Hospital claims that visits to Wikipedia are a faster indicator of flu outbreaks than a public health agency is able to provide. Closer to home, an app lists incidents of food borne illness, allowing other consumers to see what dining spots are best to avoid. We talk to the researchers and analysts behind the data to learn how this information can improve public wellness. Photo: Flickr/Eneas