The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have together launched the m-Health Initiative, which aims to use mobile phones to help combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
NCDs, examples of which include diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases, are some of the leading causes of death around the world.
Of the 57mn deaths which occur each year worldwide, NCDs contribute to an estimated 36mn, including 14mn people between the ages of 30 and 70.
As part of the initiative, ITU and WHO are providing evidence-based and operational guidance to encourage partners worldwide – governments in particular – to implement m-Health interventions.
The interventions will advise on prevention and treatment of NCDs and common risk factors, including tobacco use, unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and alcohol abuse.
Hamadoun Touré, secretary-general of ITU, said, “Technological innovations are changing the landscape of disease prevention and control.”
The m-Health concept involves using mobile devices to collect community and clinical health data, deliver healthcare information to practitioners, researchers and patients, allow real-time monitoring of patient vital signs and enable direct provision of care.
According to the partnership, these m-Health practices can help save lives, reduce illness and disability, and reduce healthcare costs significantly.
