The document discusses the priority areas for developing research and development projects in mobile health (mHealth) in Latin America, highlighting the current state of information and communication technology (ICT) and eHealth initiatives. It identifies key statistics, barriers to mHealth program implementation, and PAHO/WHO mandates, while emphasizing the leading health challenges in the region. The document aims to guide strategic planning and technical cooperation for advancing mHealth solutions to improve public health outcomes.

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Priority areas of Latin America
where develop R & D projects in
mHealth
David Novillo Ortiz, eHealth Coordinator - novillod@paho.org
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO)
@ehealthpaho / @davidnovillo

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A few statistics
• ICT in the Americas
• eHealth and mHealth
Technical cooperation in eHealth and mHealth
• Definition
• Types of mHealth initiatives
• WHO and PAHO mandates and initiatives
Needs and Priorities
• The 10 leading causes of death in LAC
• SDG #3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• PAHO/WHO Priorities
Summary

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1. A few statistics – on ICT in the Americas
Source: International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and Internet World Stats.
Individual users
connected to the
Internet
Mobile lines per 100
population
Internet users living in
the Americas
Landlines per 100
population
21%
26%
50%
108%

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1. A few statistics – on eHealth
Source: eHealth and innovation in women’s and children’s health: A baseline review. WHO, 2013. Sample: 64
countries (participating countries of the Region of the Americas: Bolivia, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, and Peru)
Inadequate
infrastructure
Lack of political
commitment
Lack of skilled
personnel
Lack of business
models
78%
59%
77%
55%

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1. A few statistics – on mHealth
Source: mHealth: New horizons for health through mobile technologies. WHO, 2011. Sample: 12 countries of the
Region of the Americas: Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico,
Panama, Paraguay, Peru and USA.

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1. A few statistics – on mHealth
Questions on mHealth in the 3rd WHO Global Survey on eHealth
• Are any government- sponsored mHealth programs being conducted in your
country?
• Which policies or strategies guide your mHealth programs?
• What is the role or function of health authorities in your country in respect to the
development and adoption of mHealth? Check as
• Is there an entity in your country responsible for the regulatory oversight of mobile
health apps for quality, safety and reliability
• Is there an entity in your country that provides incentives and guidance for
innovation, research and evaluation of health apps?
• common types of mHealth programs
• Have any government-sponsored mHealth programs in your country been
evaluated?
• Barriers to implementing mHealth programs
• Lessons learned
Source: Third Global Survey on eHealth 2015. The use of eHealth in support of universal health coverage. WHO, [2016].

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2. Technical cooperation in eHealth/mHealth
Definition:
mHealth (or health through the use of mobile devices): a
term for medical and public health practice supported by
mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient
monitoring devices, and other wireless devices.
Source: Pan American Health Organization. Strategy and Plan of Action on eHealth (2012-2017) [Internet]. 51st
Directing Council of PAHO, 63rd Session of the Regional Committee of WHO for the Americas; 2011 Sep 26-30;
Washington (DC), US. Washington (DC): PAHO; 2011 (Document CD51/13) [cited 2015 Oct 2].

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2. Technical cooperation in eHealth/mHealth
Types of mHealth initiatives
Communication
between individuals
and health services
Intersectoral
communication in
emergencies
Health monitoring
and surveillance
Access to
information for health
care professionals at
point of care
Communication
between health
services and
individuals
Consultation
between health care
professionals

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2. Technical cooperation in eHealth/mHealth
2005
2011
2013
WHO eHealth Strategy (WHA58.28)
Strategy and Plan of Action on eHealth
(CD51/13)
eHealth Standardization and Interoperability
(WHA66.24)
PAHO Strategic Plan 2014-2019 (Indicator 4.4.2)
2005
2011
2013
Mandates

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2. Technical cooperation in eHealth/mHealth
2005
2011
2013
• Be He@lthy Be Mobile initiative (WHO – ITU)
• Development of Framework for the Implementation of Mobile
Health (mHealth) projects
• Framework agreement between UOC and PAHO/WHO on
supporting the advancement of eHealth and mHealth, in Latin
America and the Caribbean
• Special Issue of the Rev Panam Salud Publica on eHealth in
the Americas - Rev Panam Salud Publica 35(5/6), 2014

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3. Needs and priorities
The 10 leading causes of death in LAC
1. Ischaemic heart disease (18)
2. Stroke (18)
3. Lower respiratory infections (18)
4. Diabetes Mellitus (17)
5. Road injury (13)
6. Hypertensive heart disease (12)
7. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12)
8. Cirrhosis of the liver (11)
9. Interpersonal violence (11)
10. HIV/AIDS (6)
Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Sample: 18 countries (participating countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican
Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela).

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3. Needs and priorities
SDG #3 – GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being
for all at all ages”

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3. Needs and priorities
PAHO/WHO Priorities
• Analyze the status of mHealth in the Americas (Third
global survey on eHealth)
• Develop strategic guidelines for mHealth
• Prepare Work Plan 2016-2017 in coordination with
WHO, Member States, and other agencies and
partners

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E-mail: ehealth@paho.org | Twitter: @ehealthpaho
The Web: http://www.paho.org/ict4health
PAHO/WHO eHealth program