Healthy Mobiles

There is a role for mobiles in predicting the health of individuals and communities. Three recent projects utilize their desirability and sensitivity to model disease outbreaks and encourage individuals to self-administer complex treatments.

In South Africa, Sense Networks, is planning to use pattern recognition software to analyse the movement of TB patients between neighbourhoods in Johannesburg. It is hoped the characteristics revealed might be used to identify infected individuals in the population.

While epidemiologists study anonymised data to predict future outbreaks healthcare professionals can use mobile technology to motivate individuals to follow treatment using network credits. MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) developed stamp sized litmus paper that displays a code when exposed to urine. Patients who text this code to the XoutTB project are credited with free airtime minutes.

The prevalence of internet enabled mobile devices greatly enhances this channel as a means of distributing information in crises. On Directgov Swine Flu: everything you need to know provides news and practical information on the spread of the H1N1 virus. Should circumstances demand it will be a vital tool in notifying the population where and how to obtain anti-viral medication.