What Is Mobile Health, and Why Is It Important?

The World Health Organization has not established a specific definition for mobile health or its role in healthcare. However, the World Health Organizations’ Global Observatory for eHealth defines it as “medical and public health practice offered through mobile devices like patient monitoring devices, phones, personal digital assistants and other wireless devices.” Mobile health apps and devices can help in tracking a variety of data from heart rates and fitness levels to sleep cycles and medication dosages.

Why it is Important?

• Providing care for elderly patients who need constant support as a result of chronic conditions and patients who cannot leave their homes
• Helps patients access to important health information quickly to reduce the cost of unnecessary hospital visits
• Mobile health is vital due to the assistance it provides patients in taking control of monitoring their health which is vital amid the growth in shortage of healthcare workers.

There are other reasons to use mobile health.

What Mobile Health Resources Are Available?

There are many mobile health resources available for people willing to track their own wellness data and become more familiar with their health. Some of the major ones are:

AliveCor

The mobile health app allows people to take medical-grade electrocardiograms (EKGs) from their mobile opens using simple sensors. It can be used to remotely, affordably, and quickly detect health issues like tachycardia and fibrillation. Users can sign up to receive consistent reviews from cardiologists on their EKGs and monthly heart reports.

American Red Cross

The mobile app provides a variety of educational resources such as veterinary advice, first aid information, and alerts for natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Apple Health

The app connects with iPhone and Apple Watch users to track their fitness, monitor their heart rate, report environmental stressors, and report their health trends with time.

Fitbit

The Health app and wearable device helps people set wellness and fitness goals, and track their progress towards reaching milestones. Fitbit also includes a sleep tracker that allows people to monitor how much time they sleep at different stages and provides suggestions on how to improve their sleep for better rest and recovery.

Glucose Buddy

The app is a diabetic management platform for tracking blood sugar, weight, insulin, physical activity, and food intake. Users can also join a community of app users for support, insights, and advice into managing their diabetes.

IExaminer

The app allows health practitioners to take pictures of patients’ eyes and retinal nerves from their smartphones. The physicians can then use the pictures to collaborate with their colleagues and educate patients on their optic health.

Medisafe

The app allows patients to fill their prescriptions easily, track the dosages of their medicines and apply for refills. 

MIM Software

The MIM Software provides healthcare facilities and physicians with mobile imaging for radiology, radiation oncology, cardiac imaging, and neuroscience. It allows healthcare practitioners to share imagery with colleagues and patients, provide feedback, and collaborate on treatment and diagnosis plans.

Strava

Strava is a mobile fitness app for cyclists and runners. Users can use it to track their activities, analyze their performance stats and find trails that are popular among a built-in network of athletes. The app syncs to devices like GPS tools and heart rate monitors to provide a view of the progress of users.

Tensio

The Tensio app allows users to manage their high blood pressure with access to medical records, personalized coaching, and tracking data for factors such as sodium intake and weight. It also sends informative messages and alerts to help people stay on target with their health goals.

There are lots of mobile health resources available, however, it is important for individuals to research their options and consult their healthcare providers to guide them on finding the best solution for their health and wellness needs.