scholarly journals E-HEALTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE LOW AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES Authors

Across the world, there is a critical expansion in digital technology through all fields, including health. Electronic health (e-Health) is the future of healthcare. E-Health could help in building better healthcare systems since it can be adopted to enhance communications, train the health workforce, assist in job-related tasks and supervision. Additionally, precision medicine (PM), which is a modern approach in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), could facilitate addressing chronic diseases. Such techniques could promote innovative public health interventions that will improve population well-being worldwide to satisfy the indicators of sustainable development goal number-3 (SDG-3) that stresses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting welfare for all. However, e-Health data could be both a gain and a challenge for LMICs. A transformational and synergetic strategy is necessary to adopt these techniques as it would sustainably minimize the expanses of healthcare. Yet, national adoption of e- Health is gradually progressing in several LMICs. This review highlights the recent advances and future applications of mobile health and its impact on people's lives in the LMICs. It also displays perceptiveness towards the best practice for scaling electronic health (e-Health) initiatives in the LMICs guided by adapted experience from real case studies and exploring the impact on designing and deploying future health initiatives, especially for improving the health workforce. Finally, It suggests a structure for data governance policy to limit the hazards of breaching or abusing health data in e-Health platforms.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (SP1) ◽  
pp. 158-163

Across the world, there is a critical expansion in digital technology through all fields, including health. Electronic health (e-Health) is the future of healthcare. E-Health could help in building better healthcare systems since it can be adopted to enhance communications, train the health workforce, assist in job-related tasks and supervision. Additionally, precision medicine (PM), which is a modern approach in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), could facilitate addressing chronic diseases. Such techniques could promote innovative public health interventions that will improve population well-being worldwide to satisfy the indicators of sustainable development goal number-3 (SDG-3) that stresses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting welfare for all. However, e-Health data could be both a gain and a challenge for LMICs. A transformational and synergetic strategy is necessary to adopt these techniques as it would sustainably minimize the expanses of healthcare. Yet, national adoption of e- Health is gradually progressing in several LMICs. This review highlights the recent advances and future applications of mobile health and its impact on people's lives in the LMICs. It also displays perceptiveness towards the best practice for scaling electronic health (e-Health) initiatives in the LMICs guided by adapted experience from real case studies and exploring the impact on designing and deploying future health initiatives, especially for improving the health workforce. Finally, It suggests a structure for data governance policy to limit the hazards of breaching or abusing health data in e-Health platforms.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 6157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Gorman ◽  
Sion Jones ◽  
Jeffrey Turner

Older populations are rising globally, which in high-income countries has helped to generate a growing literature on the impact of ageing on travel requirements and transport policy. This article aims to provide an initial assessment of the state of knowledge on the impact on transportation policy and usage of the increasing numbers of older people in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs), through a review of the literature relating to older people and transportation. As both the academic and policy/practice-related literature specifically addressing ageing and transport in LAMICs is limited, the study looks beyond transportation to assess the state of knowledge regarding the ways in which older people’s mobility is affected by issues, such as health, well-being, social (dis)engagement and gender. We find significant knowledge gaps, resulting in an evidence base to support the implementation of policy is lacking. Most research in low-income countries (LICs) is either broad quantitative analysis based on national survey data or small-scale qualitative studies. We conclude that, although study of the differing contexts of ageing in LAMICs as they relate to older people’s mobilities and transport use has barely begun, institutions which both make and influence policymaking recognise the existence of significant knowledge gaps. This should provide the context in which research agendas can be established.


2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 33-33
Author(s):  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Bwire Ivan ◽  
Maria Isabel Zuluaga ◽  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Mark Gabbay ◽  
...  

Background:The pandemic has put a huge strain on people’s mental health, with varying restrictions affecting people’s lives. Little is known how the pandemic affects older adults’ mental health, particularly those living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where restrictions are affecting people’s access to basic necessities. Thus, the aim of this 3-country study was to understand the long- term impacts of the pandemic on the mental well-being of older adults with and without dementia in LMICs.Methods:We are collecting 30 baseline and 15 follow-up interviews with older adults (aged 60+), people with dementia, and family carers in Colombia, India, and Uganda, as well as a baseline and follow-up focus group with health and social are professionals in each country. Interviews are conducted remotely over the phone due to pandemic restrictions, with data collection taking place between March and July 2021. Transcripts are translated into English before being analysed using thematic analysis.Results:To date, we have completed close to 90 baseline interviews and 3 focus groups with health and social care professionals. Analysis is ongoing, but findings are capturing the detrimental second wave in India and follow-up interviews will capture the longitudinal impacts on mental health.Conclusions:Whilst vaccines are starting to be rolled out in LMICs, albeit at different rates, the virus will likely take much longer to be somewhat managed in LMICs. This leaves more room for people’s physical as well as mental health to be impacted by the restrictions, and with often limited mental health service coverage, it is all the more important o understand the impact of the pandemic on older people’s mental health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110340
Author(s):  
Ratna Devi ◽  
Felicity Goodyear-Smith ◽  
Kannan Subramaniam ◽  
Jessica McCormack ◽  
Amanda Calder ◽  
...  

We sought to gain insights into the impacts of COVID-19 and associated control measures on health and health care of patients from low- and middle-income countries with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions, using an online survey during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common concern for the 1487 patients who took part was contracting COVID-19 when they accessed health care. Of those infected with COVID-19, half said that their health had been worse since being infected. Collectively, most people reported an increase in feelings of stress and loneliness. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a range of health care impacts on patients with noncommunicable diseases, including constraints on access to care and health effects, particularly mental well-being.


Author(s):  
Suman Verma

Effective social protection policies are crucial to realizing adolescents’ rights, ensuring their well-being, breaking the cycle of poverty and vulnerability, and helping them realize their full developmental potential. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have extended social security coverage to ensure basic protections—while continuing to develop social protection systems. Social protection for LMIC adolescents in the context of gross violations of their basic rights is examined. Prevalence, consequences of protection rights violations, and the role and impact of social protection programs in ensuring enhanced opportunities for development and well-being among young people are discussed. Results demonstrate direct impacts (e.g., increased income, consumption, goods and services access; greater social inclusion; reduced household stress). LMICs need integrated social protection policy and program expansion if the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to be realized. With adolescent-centered policies and investments, governments can help adolescents realize their rights to a fulfilling and productive life.


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