Mobile health covers medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets and other wireless devices. These also include lifestyle and wellbeing applications connected to medical devices and sensors.
The Commission says mobile health is an emerging part of eHealth, where information and communication technologies (ICT) are used to improve health products, services and processes.
Neelie Kroes, commissioner responsible for the Digital Agenda, said that mHealth will reduce costly visits to hospitals, help citizens take charge of their own health and wellbeing, and move towards prevention rather than cure. It is also a great opportunity for the booming app economy and for entrepreneurs.
"I personally use a sports-band on my wrist to measure how active I am from day to day, so I am a great supporter of mHealth already," the commissioner said, adding that Europeans can help the region become a global leader in the area.
Commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg, mentioned that mHealth can empower citizens to manage their own health and stay healthy longer and trigger greater quality of care and comfort for patients.
"As such, exploring mHealth solutions can contribute to modern, efficient and sustainable health systems," Borg stressed.
The Commission wants input and ideas on what should be done to solve several issues in mHealth, such as data protection and user trust, patient safety, contribution to high quality healthcare, and at what level (EU, national or regional). The EU's executive is also interested in giving guidance to app developers via a staff working document that analyses the existing legal framework for lifestyle apps.
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Quelle/Source: EurActiv, 10.04.2014
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