Open AccessAccess to ICT in the Pacific Islands region: a brief report
Author(s) -
Judith McCool,
Janine Hill,
Rosie Dobson,
Robyn Whittaker
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pacific health dialog
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2422-8656
pISSN - 1015-7867
DOI - 10.26635/phd.2020.642
Subject(s) - information and communications technology , broadband , telecommunications , business , mobile broadband , diversity (politics) , mobile technology , population , mobile telephony , mobile device , internet privacy , computer science , mobile computing , world wide web , political science , environmental health , medicine , wireless , mobile radio , law
Mobile technologies are an essential component necessary for the functioning of contemporary health systems. The advent of digital health represents a logical collaboration between the need for greater efficiencies in health service delivery and systems and the rapid expansion of personal mobile devices. Worldwide mobile subscriptions are expected to reach 8.9bn, smartphone subscriptions 7.2bn and mobile broadband 8.3bn 1. For many countries, mobile subscriptions exceed population numbers; the Pacific Islands region is no different 1. Yet within the region huge diversity in access to information and communication technologies (ICT) contributes to gradual progress in implementing digital health initiatives that could accelerate and extend measures to improve public health.