The WHO-ITU Be He@lthy, Be Mobile initiative was set up in 2013 to support the scale-up of digital health services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Its mission is simple: to see digital health make a tangible contribution to creating a healthier world. As a collaboration between the UN agencies for health and ICTs, it works with governments to scale up digital health services for NCDs and their risk factors, using evidence-based content and best practices. It now works with 12 countries from a range of regions and income levels, tackling issues as diverse as raising awareness on cervical cancer to helping people quit tobacco use. Since its inception, BHBM has reached over 3.7 million end users. Some of our programs, such as India’s mTobaccoCessation program has reached 2.1 million subscribers and has been translated into 12 languages. The tobacco cessation program in India had an improved self-reported quit rate among a sample of users. In addition, India’s mDiabetes program has had over 105,000 users. BHBM’s mDiabetes program, which runs during the month of Ramadan in Senegal, is in its sixth year. More than 200,000 users have registered in 2019.; 180,000 users in 2018, including 10,000 health care workers (HCWs). A biometric evaluation has shown improved glycemic control among subscribers.

The initiative’s innovation comes from its emphasis on scale. It is the first UN initiative to use population-wide mHealth prevention services at scale, and is the largest scaled mHealth initiative for NCDs in the world. It is also unique for its development of a multisectoral approach to ensure that programs are sustainable, by bringing together stakeholders from across the mHealth ecosystem: Ministries of Health, Ministries of ICTs, academia, local NGOs, and private sector.

https://www.who.int/ncds/prevention/be-healthy-be-mobile/en/

• Burkina Faso
• Costa Rica
• China
• Egypt
• India
• Norway
• Philippines
• Senegal
• Sudan
• Tunisia
• United Kingdom
• Zambia

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Elderly
• Pregnant women
• People suffering from non-communicable diseases

BHBM’s approach is deliberately designed to be scalable: instead of promoting specific products, it provides cross-cutting health content and technical support which can be used and incorporated into other applications. BHBM’s project model has been implemented in 12 countries. The initiative helps build networks between countries, but also considers how a service for one disease could be used to support other areas. Once a country runs the program, it can replicate the program by using the platform for other health interventions. For instance, in Senegal, BHBM’s platform for mDiabetes was adapted by the government to provide crucial information on Ebola awareness, and sent out 4 million SMS messages. This showed how the program is contributing to a systemic, longer-term change in how technology is used in the country’s national health services.
The model is using evidence-based content and delivering it through mobile phones in order to provide essential behavior change information to people who are at risk or suffering from NCDs. It is a model that we bring to scale by convening different sectors and stakeholders.

BHBM works to develop the broader ecosystem within which a national mHealth programme will sit, helping ensure that it is integrated with other health services. In doing so, each programme becomes a sustainable part of the health system whilst also helping to promote health and well-being around the world. For instance, India has rendered the program sustainable by receiving tremendous support from the government. Several offices in the government provide funding, technology support and human resources to ensure that the program runs sustainably.

BHBM and WSIS share common values, as we strive to render information and knowledge accessible to end users in order to improve their quality of life. We also promote the values of sustainable development. In addition, BHBM seeks to leverage the potential of ICTs to promote development and combat preventable diseases.