Mobile health global

It is needless to say that life sciences and clinical practices have made extraordinary progress in the past hundred years. Nevertheless, one of the main challenges facing the human race in the XXI century remains "HEALTH". Aging populations, increases in chronic diseases, advancements in technology, combined with a more knowledgeable and demanding public, will challenge the sustainability of both public and private health systems.

At the same time, there is a clear need for proactive, not just reactive, medicine. As well as availability of health professionals, therapy treatments and operating rooms to treat or control diseases, it will be imperative to avoid diseases. Prevention and healthy habits are becoming increasingly present in our lives.

Society has been experiencing important changes; one of the most meaningful being the greater autonomy of its citizens. More and more people want to be able to manage their lives, meet, compare, choose and decide. This is evident in many areas if life, but in health systems there remain barriers and prejudices that impede citizen empowerment.

In most occidental countries, so called "sanitary paternalism" has occurred. The overwhelming advance in health science research, the complexity of clinical knowledge and the enormous experience required to perform in the medical profession, has meant that it is more difficult for the citizen to take care of their own health, with the false impression that health care is only for professionals. Until recently, personal clinical information was not easily accessible to the citizen, for many reasons. In an underdeveloped society with a lack of knowledge and training, the citizen might not be able to comprehend and manage complex data and information.

In the digital era, the knowledge society is radically changing the way in which we live, work, communicate or have fun. We 'virtually' access our bank accounts, manage our finances, plan our trips, listen to music and radio we love, watch videos and films that have been created in social networks and we view television and press that we like. Also, thanks to social networks, we can communicate with many contacts in seconds. This is thanks to new information and communication technologies, in particular connectivity, which has been spread most widely by mobile technologies.

It is clear that never before in human history have we had this variety of individuals, everywhere and with permanent access to portable devices. The figures are impressive: currently there are more than 6,800 billion mobile devices, including mobile phones, smartphones, and not forgetting tablets. But the most important thing is the "emotional" connection that people make with their mobile devices.

Despite the first Smartphone only appearing about seven years ago and tablets about four years ago, they have revolutionized the communications world. Current estimates indicate there are more than one million apps available today, with 120,000 related to health.  

All of these social and technological changes may create great opportunity, but may create also create confusion and chaos in the health world. For that reason, in the Mobile World Capital, we have created the mHealth Competence Center (mHCC), with an aim to build connections across the industry, the technical innovation centers, health and social services, professionals, academies and citizens/patients. Our purpose is to accompany, coordinate and facilitate the implementations of mobile technology.

One of the principal priorities we have established in the mHCC is to have communication tools that allow us to share experiences and projects both locally and globally, to be in contact with clinical and industrial professionals, patient associations and academics and then learn and work together in the implementation of mobile solutions. In short, to build collaborative tools for the disposal of professionals and citizens.

To this aim, I am delighted to present you the 2.0 version of our webpage: www.mobilehealthglobal.com. It will be accompanied by a monthly newsletter, for those people interested in learning about the latest advances and news in the mHealth field.

I hope to see you soon in this virtual space...

Sincerely,