By: Leilani Bruce
This week I read the article “A multi pronged evidence-based approach to implement mHealth for underserved HIV-infected populations” by Archana Krishnan. This article touches on the advances that mobile technology has specifically with health related issues. The article goes into detail about how mobile health has shown promise to help people that are living with HIV. The arfticle also mentions how sometimes there are barriers faced with the population including social stigma, discrimination, and acceessibility.
First, to understand what mhealth aims to do, we have to define what it means. Mhealth is short for ‘mobile health,’ more specifically the practice of medicine through mobile devices. Mhealth is so important and crucial in our society as they are usually easily accessible, cheaper, and can reach a wider amount of people at one time. Mobile technology has improved so much and mhealth has contributed to that growth.
I know that personally mhealth has helped me out a lot in my life because I am able to connect with my doctor almost immediately and get questions answered whenever I need to. I can also schedule appointments and refill my perceptions easier than ever. It is also nice to have access to mhealth in case of an emergency because you are able to connect with professionals more easily.
Although I would like to think everyone has access to mhealth, that is not the case. For example people who cannot afford a mobile device like homeless individuals or people from developing countries, do not have access to a mobile device, therefore do not get the benefits from their mhealth. The more people mhealth can reach, the better but that is not always the case with some people.
In terms of social stigma connected to HIV it is huge. Society doesn't generally have an open mind when it comes to people living with HIV. Mhealth aims to help decrease the spread of HIV as well as act as a source for those dealing with it, but the negative stigma surrounding it often makes people less likely to use it. Dealing with HIV is nothing to be ashamed of and people live with it everyday with the right treatment. If people are able to have access to mhealth, the more people will be aware of what HIV exactly is, and the less of a negative social stigma will be connected with it.
Overall, HIV and other diseases need to have more awareness of what exactly they entail, and what resources people have to live with it everyday. There is a lot of negative stigma and ignorance with every disease but the more people know, and the more people have access to mhealth, the more educated and understanding they will be. I think everyone needs to be way more understanding of diseases people are dealing with because they have to live with it everyday. If the world was a more understanding and acceptable place, it would be better for everyone and no one would feel ashamed or embarrassed.
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