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

Contact Info

Deb Levine, YTH deb@yth.org @DebYTH Facebook.com/ythorg 510-835-9400