‘Mobile’ Health Needs And Opportunities In Developing Countries

TLDR

Developing countries face rising chronic disease prevalence alongside ongoing communicable disease burdens, and mobile health technologies—such as cellular phones—offer promise for addressing both at regional, community, and individual levels. The study aims to examine various m‑health applications and define their risks and benefits. The authors analyze these applications to assess their risks and benefits. Positive examples exist, but there is little solid evaluation of clinical or economic performance, underscoring the need for such evaluation.

Abstract

Developing countries face steady growth in the prevalence of chronic diseases, along with a continued burden from communicable diseases. “Mobile” health, or m-health—the use of mobile technologies such as cellular phones to support public health and clinical care—offers promise in responding to both types of disease burdens. Mobile technologies are widely available and can play an important role in health care at the regional, community, and individual levels. We examine various m-health applications and define the risks and benefits of each. We find positive examples but little solid evaluation of clinical or economic performance, which highlights the need for such evaluation.