Health in the time of smart phone

Mobile health (mhealth) is an emerging field that has the potential to transform healthcare. Mobile devices and related software (‘applications’ or ‘apps’) may bring immediate answers to consumers, empower them and potentially unburden the healthcare systems.

Mhealth solutions include medical devices that deliver information on specific chronic conditions but also lifestyle and wellbeing apps. The already enormous profits that derive from this successful market are expected to skyrocket in the next years. However, mhealth entails potentially serious risks for consumers. To reverse the trend, policy makers should take the following measures at the European Union (EU) level:

1. Clearly define ‘mhealth’.
2. Ensure legal accountability and right to redress.
3. Guarantee privacy and data protection.
4. Set simple and fair Terms and Conditions.
5. Ensure security at all stages.
6. Label apps’ target audience.
7. Ensure mHealth does not widen gaps in access to care.