The document discusses the advancement of mobile health (mHealth) technologies. It notes that cell phones have become essential devices for many users and that mobile technologies can be leveraged for public health in several ways. Specifically, they can be used to disseminate health information, enable remote data collection, and provide consumer access to location-based health services. Examples from other countries demonstrate how mobile phones are being used to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes in resource-limited settings. The document advocates for increased utilization of these mHealth strategies going forward.

1. The Advance of mHealth
The Application of Mobile
Technology in Public Health

2. “The most exciting breakthroughs of
the 21st century will not occur
because of technology but because of
an expanding concept of what it
means to be human.”
~John Naisbitt

3. “We're changing the
world with technology.”
~ Bill Gates

4. The cell phone went from the device that was
the fourth “hardest to do without” in 2002 to the
number one slot in 2007.
“Mobile Access to Data and Information”, Pew Internet Project

5. Here Comes Mobile
Thirty-nine percent of Americans have positive and
improving attitudes about their mobile
communication devices, which in turn draws them
further into engagement with digital resources – on
both wireless and wireline platforms.
”The Mobile Difference”, Pew Internet Project

7. Short SMS Stats

8. 270+ million
wireless subscribers
in the U.S.
Source: CTIA

9. Wireless only households increased from
8.4% (2005) to 17.5% (2008)
Source: CTIA

10. One trillion text messages
were sent in 2008
Source: CTIA

11. Mobile Phone Trivia:
How many mobile phones are
equipped with SMS (text) function?

12. Answer:
95%
Source: CTIA

13. Time to Make Use of These
Technologies for Public
Health!

14. What is mHealth?

15. mHealth is the use of mobile
communications – such as PDAs and
mobile phones – for health services
and information

16. Health Information + The Web
8 out of 10 American Internet users have
searched for information on at least 1 of 17
health topics
Source: Online Health Search 2006, Pew Internet Study

17. Mobile Tech in Public Health
• Dissemination of Health Information
• Remote Data Collection Tool
• Consumer Interaction Point for Location-
Based Health Information

18. OTHER COUNTRIES > UNITED STATES

19. Credit: DataDyne.org

20. Dissemination of Health
Information

21. Remote Data Collection

22. FrontlineSMS is free software that turns a
laptop and a mobile phone into a central
communications hub. Once installed, the
program enables users to send and
receive text messages with large groups
of people through mobile phones.

23. Mobiles in Malawi
• A donated laptop, 100 recycled cell phones, and
a copy of FrontlineSMS
• SMS-based communications network for a rural
hospital and its community health workers in
Malawi
• Allows hospital to respond to requests for:
– rendering emergency medical care
– tracking patients
– recording HIV and TB drug adherence
– staying updated on patient status
– providing instant drug dosage/usage information

24. Consumer Interaction

25. “[Mobile communication] is an avenue
through which we will get the accurate,
credible information we need to inform
healthier decisions.”
~Dr. Jay Bernhardt
CDC Center for Health Marketing

26. What Next?

27. • More focus on medical adherence for patients
• Feedback on quality of care
• Increased focus on interaction with at-risk
populations
• More efficient ways to receive health information
• Location-based services

28. Additional Resources
• http://mobileactive.org
• http://kiwanja.net
• http://jopsa.org
• http://www.dalezak.ca/
• http://delicious.com/mindofandre/mobilehe
alth
• http://delicious.com/mindofandre/mobile