mHealth + proactive well-being = well creation

Abstract

As of late 2013, 39 percent of the world’s population is connected to the Internet. Europe stands at 68.6 percent, with the EU at 76.5 percent; the U.S. is at 84.9 percent, with all the Americas at 62.3 percent. Even areas known to have a higher percentage of their population in the lower portion of the economic pyramid are showing steady increases in people accessing the Internet: Africa is at 21.3 percent and rising rapidly, while India is at 15.8 percent [1]. It is clear that advances in the design of ICTs are transforming health practices, from bedside patient support to remote patient outreach, the latter having a special focus and success rate in the developing world (e.g., [2]). mHealth, the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices, is a major focus of investment for governments, organizations, and businesses. In 2013, a number of states in the U.S. began rolling out mobile applications to alert residents of health issues, promote exercise-related events, and encourage engagement in proactive healthcare activities [3]. While most activities target individuals, clearly there are broader family and community benefits. There are also workplace and business benefits. Healthier individuals are more engaged in their work and typically take less time off [4]. Plus, a highly lucrative business has emerged for personal health and fitness devices, applications, and services. Apple’s iOS now includes a health app that leverages the iPhone's motion sensor, offering basic motion counts such as daily steps taken—just one example of the emerging landscape of mHealth devices.

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ORCID for m.c. schraefel: orcid.org/0000-0002-9061-7957

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