DeAnza College/CIS2/World health/
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How Technology Assists With Keeping The World Healthy
In those days, when the diseases are informed by postcards or by telephone to health department, it possessed hurdle to evaluate the cases quickly and efficiently. But with computer and internet the process to evaluate the disease and alerting others have become easy and efficient. The recent Swine Flu case is a good example on how internet and technology can alert the world any disease and providing the public with latest information and development.
The latest technology is helping the global health industry to meet its every day challenges. A simple technology like SMS text messaging is helping the health care system to ensure timely data transfer on the vaccine stock levels especially in rural areas where transportation is a hurdle. Health alerts through e-mails provide the patients with quick information on healthier and sustainable lives.
With the number of diseases out there, and the increasing number of people traveling around the world. It would be impossible to completely stop a spread of infectious diseases. What we can do as a society is figure out ways to deal with them effectively through communication and technology so that others around us are aware of what's going on.
The information below has examples of what opportunities we have today to prevent sickness spreading to others and to help the world as a whole survive outbreaks because we use advanced technology to come together and create solutions that better everyone.
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization also known as WHO was created on April 7,1945 when diplomats met to form the United Nations.WHO’s Constitution came had into force on 7 April 1948 – a date we now celebrated every year as World Health Day. WHO's mission is to use what they call their six point agenda to globally approves public health. These six points are:
1. Promoting development
2. Fostering health security
3. Strengthening health systems
4. Harnessing research, information and evidence
5. Enhancing partnerships
6. Improving performance
Within these six points, WHO also helps shape a more healthier environment globally by:
- providing leadership on matters critical to health and engaging in partnerships where joint action is needed;
- shaping the research agenda and stimulating the generation, translation and dissemination of valuable knowledge;
- setting norms and standards and promoting and monitoring their implementation;
- articulating ethical and evidence-based policy options;
- providing technical support, catalysing change, and building sustainable institutional capacity; and
- monitoring the health situation and assessing health trends.
What technologies will we see in the next 3-5 years?
In next 3-5 years, the Health industries are focusing more on improving and innovating the key technologies to meet the challenges of the world health. It is also going use more of mobile technology, as there are 2.2 billion mobile phones in the developing world, compared to 305 million computers. It is also a powerful tool that has potential to take the industry to next level.
Flu Chip May Help Combat Future Epidemics
UN Forum Discusses Use Of New Technology To Fight Poverty, Improve Health
UC Davis Telemedicine Program advances community-based health care
Negative or Positive?
These technological breakthroughs will definitely be a positives to society.
For example: Back in 2000,only few people believed that measles deaths in Africa could be reduced by 75% in less than a decade. However, the success of the Measles Initiative proved that scientific innovation with the use of technology can reach those who need the help most.
Who will benefit and how?
The world as a whole will benefit because the technology developed isn't just for one nation, but for all human life. With the increasing technological breakthroughs that help prevent diseases, in the future, we will be able to better help stop fast spreading diseases and find ways to use computers to build advanced microchips that can either detect infections or possibly computers that can create solutions based on previous illnesses, on how to fight current medical troubles.
Who will be hurt?
There can be some victims even in a very positive breakthrough. If the majority of the world starts depending on technology and computers to increase protection against infectious diseases, then the people who may be harmed, are the ones that don't have access to computers, they may have fallen behind in technology.
Who is driving the use of this technology?
EpiSurveyor is now the mostly used source of mobile health software in the entire world, it's not only saving lives, but also changes the face of the public health system throughout the world. EpiSurveyor is a software that allows you to instantly download forms onto your cellphone, fill them out and upload them to a server. This software is widely used in countries across the world, by doctors helping third world areas.
Intel and the Industrial Development Agency of Ireland, are teaming up to create technologies that help senior citizens live easier at home. The $30 million project establishes the Technology Research for Independent Living Centre, where researchers from Intel will create devices that can help keep elderly people engaged in their communities, prevent falls, and help the ones with failing memory to keep their independence.
Some people with memory loss could be supplied with phones that show not only the callers picture, but also details about the caller and their earlier conversations with that person.
Resources
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/07/world-health-day-mobile-t_n_184149.html
