Mobile Tech for Public Health: Focus on Youth and Sexual
Health Deb Levine, Founder, YTH
(formerly ISIS)
UC Berkeley Center for Health Leadership June 12, 2013 Oakland
Why Mobile?
• 91% of people in the U.S. own mobile phones
• 56% of adults in the U.S. own smart phones
• 78% of teens have mobile phones • 36% of teens have smart phones • There is little disparity in phone ownership
based on race/ethnicity/socioeconomic status
Adult Latina Women
• 251 surveys of Latinas aged 16-59 in Fresno
• 96% have mobile phones • 70% have data plans on their mobile
phones
African-American Youth
• Conversations with youth of color in San Francisco
• 99% have mobile phones; about 20% have more than one
• 100% use their phones for calls and SMS text messaging
• 66% have data plans on their mobile phones
The Basics: Messaging
• Text messages: 140 – 160 characters, one way or two way messaging. One way best used to engage and encourage to take an action, such as increase access to services or sign a petition. Two way good for deep engagement, crisis management.
• Multimedia messaging: Enhanced text
messages with pics, video and audio
The Basics: Web and Apps
• Mobile web: Reaching those who access the Internet only via their mobile phones, most often people with greatest economic and health disparities
• Smartphone apps: Makes optimum use of phone features such as photo, video, GPS, etc. Platform dependent (iPhone/Droid)
Common Uses
– Education and outreach – Contraception & appt. reminders – Medication adherence/compliance - Risk Assessment - Data Collection
Education and Outreach
• Referrals: Txt clinic + your zip code to 61827 to find free and low cost health centers and m.stdtest.org
• Education: Txt Hookup to 877877 and weekly tips and life advice
Sample Messages
• (1/4): Chappell Hayes Ctr@McClymondsHS2607 Myrtle St. Oakland CA 94607 5108351393
• SexINFO: If u think he/she’s cheating on u, get a
checkup 2day STDs can go backnforth most times there’s no symptoms drop in City Clinic 356 7th St. 415-387-5500
• Hookup: Wanna get buff? Steroids can make a man's
breasts bigger, his nuts smaller, & make u feel angry all the time. Txt Clinic+ zip code for clinics Pwred by ISIS
Reminders • Daily, weekly, monthly self-reminders for
contraception – Sign up online, receive automated msg
• Appointment reminders for follow-ups after STD diagnoses, annual exams, etc.
• Good results in primary care and other specialty clinics
Best Practices
• Understand the local mobile landscape • Community inclusion • Partnerships (community and tech) • Multi-media strategy • Evaluation and marketing built in and
budgeted
Risks and Challenges
• Confidentiality – Msgs sent via mobile phones are not confidential – Unclear terms of service by carriers
• Legal compliance – Cannot send diagnoses via text in US – Concerns w/partner notification, under-age patients/
parental notification, defamation of character • Staff comfort levels
– Many mobile enabled, but not using SMS for work
Case Studies
• TIPS: Text information portal for Latina women in Fresno County
• Oregon Reminders: SMS, Voice and Email reminders for HIV testing and medication
• Circle of 6: Mobile app to prevent dating violence and sexual assault on college campuses
YTH Live mHealth for Youth track
– SMS to improve medication adherence for HIV+ youth: Children’s Hosp of Chicago
– Geolocating apps for HIV prevention: San Mateo County Health
– Mobile app to help teens find docs: NYC DOH – SMS and text-chat to replace f/u appointments: Cell-
Life, South Africa – Mobile and tech on a shoestring budget: Family Tree
Clinic – Responsive design: AIDS.gov
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