This article was originally written for the PopTech blog earlier this week. I’m really interested in how mobile technology is transforming public health and have written about it before with some of the key players mentioned below.
cc image from JonJon on Flickr
For the past several years, our mobile technology has become smaller, smarter and more capable of doing things beyond its initial intention. Right now we are being inundated with choices of cell phone and endless options for texting or data plans. Companies are clamoring to be ahead of the game regarding mobile marketing tactics and how to better interact with the consumer on one of their most sacred and prized possessions.
Seriously, I’m sure you know right now where your cell phone is.
Despite all of the technological advancement surrounding these portable command centers of communication – all the bells and whistles that come equipped – we are at a point in the public/global health world hardly any of it matters.
Right now there is a hotbed of activity surrounding the use of cell phones in the public health space that have nothing to do with touch screen technology or installing the latest Twitter application. This application of mobile technology to health is currently known as mHealth.
A large amount of mHealth’s impact is being focused into developing, low-resource countries where there are numerous health issues needing to be addressed. The helpful technology that comes into play is SMS (Short Messaging Service). Fondly referred to as texting, SMS is one of the most basic aspects of the cell phone where data entered can be sent back and forth between phones. This service has been wildly useful in the implementation of more effective health initiatives around the world.
One of the projects that has been making extensive use of SMS and text messaging in the global health scene is Ken Banks’ FrontlineSMS software. In the spirit of true open source innovation, a team of young innovators created FrontlineSMS:Medic in order to improve communication and collaboration among rural health clinics in the developing world. According to their mission, they hope to “advance healthcare networks in the developing world by building and distributing innovative, appropriate mobile technologies.”
In addition to creating this hub of innovation, the FrontlineSMS:Medic team helped put together an initiative to foster the generation of equipment to help implement their goals – the HopePhones project. By donating and recycling your unused cell phones, the proceeds are transferred into the HopePhones program, allowing for the purchase of appropriate mobile technology to aid in the healthcare of these clinics.
It is this sort of innovation on a basic level that truly yields great results, something Clay Shirky touched upon during his recent TED@State talk on how technology is being made useful today by citizens, especially in repressive regimes, around the world.
I really feel that as we continue to see more innovation come about in public health, we will begin to visualize a whole different perspective on how to create solutions.
On how to prevent disease.
On improving healthier behaviors.
On changing the world.
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Great article Andre! You are for sure a thought leader in the world of mobile health (mHealth).
I was first exposed to the untapped depth of mobile tech + public health at last years National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media. Since then, I have been “all ears” and your insights have been more than an earful.
Keep it coming!
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