Are Cell Phones Leading the mHealth Revolution?

Nellie Bristol | Global Health Magazine | May 14, 2009

According to this article from the Global Health Council Magazine, cell phone use in developing countries is driving a new industry in health-related electronic applications for programmes that range from diagnosis and health worker education to social marketing and the flow of emergency food rations, many focused on geographically remote areas.

As stated here, "Global health and technology experts cite dozens of projects using electronic methods (known as "eHealth") that are increasing data collection opportunities and leveraging meager health care work forces. But the technology explosion is facing many of the same problems as in developed countries: lack of interoperability, funding shortfalls and scant solid evidence of outcomes improvement. It also faces hurdles unique to global health - sustainability, inability to scale, and hardware and infrastructure challenges." For example, "18 percent of clinics in South Africa have connected computers while 96 percent have a least one cell phone." Thus, the private-industry-driven proliferation of cell phones, spurred by low-cost handsets and pay-as-you-go airtime purchasing, is receiving health communication development attention.