What is it? A cellphone.
Susannah Fox from Pew Internet held up two things: a cell phone and sun screen. "What do these have in common?"
Answer: they can both promote health.
She described a research study that compared people who got a text reminder to put on sunscreen with a control ( no text message)
Text reminders = 56% put on sunscreen vs no reminder only 30%. Impressive difference.
How many mobile devices are there in the US? 280,000,000 ( also impressive)
A few more facts
# of hours a cell phone is in arms reach of owner (19)
% households with no land line (20% and growing)
% of text messages that get opened? (90-100%) Compare that to emails!
We should be thinking about ways to use cell phones in public health!
Another example: cell phones are being used to help treat tuberculosis in developming countries. Patients text in when they have taken their treatment ( they actually use a urine stick that tests to make sure the medicine is in their system and then text the code on the urine stick as proof that they took their meds) If they take the meds...they get free air time. How's that for a good incentive?
For more information check out Pew's report on the Mobile Difference March 09
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