"M-technology is increasingly being used in the health care field (m-health). Government officials use m-health to collect health-related data on the general population. The use of mhealth is becoming a cost-effective method of identifying and monitoring health issues as well as guiding the formulation of health policies. Programs to support the professional development of people in the health field, using m-health technology, are becoming readily available. M-health also provides health professionals with access to patient data as well as access to various information sources, both of which provide valuable assistance in the diagnosis and formulation of treatment.

Individuals can use m-health to access resource materials on health issues. Patients can self-monitor and transmit information to their health care provider; e.g. blood pressure, glycemic data for diabetes control or a photograph of a wound. Using mhealth could be particularly important to people living in remote areas or those who are physically impaired.

This chapter presents eighty-five examples of m-health applications that are being used today. These cases are divided into four categories: Health Administration, Health Care Delivery Systems, Health Information and Patient Care. The cases are further divided into regions of the world and then countries within these regions.

Source: UN, 2007.