Title: Text-Messaging for Health Still Has Its Challenges
Author: Larisa Epatko>
Source: PBS NewsHour
Date (published): 05/10/2011
Date (accessed): 17/10/2011
Type of information: article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
"At first glance, text-messaging health alerts to poor, rural populations with widespread mobile phone use is a no-brainer. But what about the challenges of providing useful information and the simple act of re-charging phones in isolated spots?

On a planet of nearly 7 billion people, 5 billion use mobile phones -- and of those mobile phone subscribers about 70 percent are in emerging economies, according to U.N. estimates.

It's no wonder health organizations are looking to the massive medium as a means to inform the public on health news, and in particular help populations that don't have easy access to medical treatment.

The use of mobile phones for medical purposes, known as mHealth, has been around for a decade and new projects are launching all the time.

For example, pregnant women in countries such as India and South Africa who can't visit doctors regularly now can register their due dates and receive SMS -- or text -- messages with information that matches up with their babies' development, such as what food they should be eating.

In Bangladesh, parents can receive alerts telling them when to bring their children into clinics for vaccinations.

In the United States, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius recently announced a new initiative to text-message tips and health information to motivate people to quit smoking.

But despite the promising implications for health, there are still some challenges to overcome -- as those involved in the effort can attest."