Healthy tech: Mexico's mobile health reminders

Every day I'm hearing about new ways that mobile phones are being used to improve health and fight disease. With 55 percent of the world's population owning a phone, and estimates that there will be one phone for every human by 2018, it's a great idea. Especially considering the technical capabilities of today's "smart," and even not-so-smart, phones.

We've discussed several services previously, including those providing child health information to new mothers, and a South African text-messaging program that appears to be increasing HIV awareness. Most programs are fascinating in their simplicity, intriguing in their potential, and perhaps a little scary in terms of possible unintended consequences. This month I've been reading about ambitious progress being made in Mexico.

VidaNET allows people who are HIV-positive to enter their cell number, some basic health information, and their medication dosing schedule. The program then sends text-message reminders when it's pill popping time. Interactive features also allow you to input how many times you've missed your doses, and the system tells you your compliance rate, and provides encouragement to improve. If you slip too far, it warns you to see a provider. VidaNET is run by a non-profit collaboration between Mexico's leading Mobile phone provider, Telcel, and the Carso Health Institute, founded and funded by billionaire Carlos Slim Helu. Recently launched, VidaNET is expecting 10,000 users by year's end.

Privacy issues are somewhat of a concern. Though the service claims to be anonymous, users obviously provide their cell numbers, and a new Mexican law mandates that all mobile phone users register their number, name and address. Though laws technically seal access to that data, if combined with VidaNET, you create a hybrid registry of HIV patients. The consequences of such information, and the potential to abuse it, are worthy of consideration.

Based on the VidaNET experience, a service called CardioNET is also being introduced to provide heart-healthy, anti-obesity messages. With some 5,000 users currently enrolled, a major campaign plans on enrolling upwards of 300,000 users by the end of 2010. In surveys, 88 percent of early adopters reported that the messages prompted them to change their behavior. Its not clear whether such changes were significant enough to improve their health.

The third prong of Mexico's mobile-health trident is a diabetes "journal" that will allow diabetics to track key indicators of their condition. In a country where nearly 1 in 9 inhabitants suffers from the condition, any help would be welcome.

Reminder services have huge potential to improve health, since only half of chronic disease patients in the developed world comply with doctors orders, and fewer still in less developed regions. Research by mobile provider Vodaphone found that reminders reduce missed doctor's appointments by 33 to 55 percent in the UK, and a recent review of text-messaging interventions reported that over 90 percent of studies found positive changes in behavior.

Do you use a mobile reminder service for anything, health or non-health related? Share your experience or concerns!