Around
98% of the world population are covered by mobile networks, and
four out of five individuals 10 years or older own a mobile phone. The
Be He@lthy, Be Mobile (BHBM) initiative taps into this development, and harnesses the reach of digital networks and portable devices to address the leading cause of deaths across the globe —
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors — which are killing an estimated
41 million people each year, more than all other causes of death combined!
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Be He@lthy, Be Mobile (BHBM) is a joint initiative by WHO and ITU since 2012, using digital health tools like mobile messaging, apps, chatbots, and telemedicine to combat NCDs—the world’s top cause of death.
With nearly 98% of the global population covered by mobile networks, BHBM helps governments integrate these tools into national health systems for sustainable and scalable impact.
Key Objectives:
- Support countries in scaling digital health programmes
- Develop and validate effective content
- Foster global and national partnerships
- Promote innovation and knowledge sharing
- Build capacity and institutionalize digital health
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Be He@lthy, Be Mobile has supported
17 national mobile messaging campaigns across four regions, reaching over
4 million people with health information on
NCDs, risk factors, and
COVID-19.
In collaboration with more than
50 partners, BHBM has contributed to the development of
telemedicine services,
mobile apps, and
chatbots, expanding access to preventive care and digital health promotion tools.
To support countries, BHBM has also produced
practical handbooks,
message libraries, and
thematic reports, while fostering global collaboration through initiatives like the
EU mHealth Hub. The initiative has further contributed to
global research and policy dialogue on digital health through publications and participation in
ITU Study Groups.
