> As part of a pilot project geared toward using mobile technology to boost the health of people in developing nations, pregnant women in rural parts of Ghana are receiving automated weekly voice or SMS messages via mobile phones, according to The Research Council of Norway. The goal of the messages is to encourage expectant mothers to see healthcare professionals. Some of the messages also give advice regarding vaccinations and nutrition. Post
> Lansing, Mich.-based Sparrow Hospital recently launched a mobile app that will enable patients to schedule appointments, renew prescriptions and access medical records. The app is part of the hospital's electronic medical record project, and will be available on both iOS and Android platforms. Post
> Researchers from the University of Michigan are studying the effectiveness of automated calls from a U.S.-based server to cell phones of hypertension patients in Honduras and Mexico to help those patients lower their blood pressure. Patients who received the weekly, 12-minute calls over a six-week period were more likely to understand how to take their medication when compared with patients who received regular care, according to the researchers. Patients received health information from the university's cloud computing system. Post
And Finally… Would you trust your safety on an airplane to Bilbo Baggins? Article