Use of m-Health Technology for Preventive Interventions to Tackle Cardiometabolic Conditions and Other Non-Communicable Diseases in Latin America- Challenges and Opportunities

Published in Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases Vol. 58(6):661-673
Authors

Beratarrechea, A., Diez-Canseco, F., Irazola, V., Miranda, J.J., Ramirez-Zea, M. and Rubinstein, A.
Publication year 2016
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2016.03.003
Affiliations
  • South American Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Health (CESCAS), Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS) 
  • CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru 
  • South American Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Health (CESCAS), Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS) 
  • INCAP Research Center for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama, Guatemala
IAI Program

CRN3
IAI Project CRN3036
Keywords
Cardiometabolic disease
Latin America
mHealth

Abstract

In Latin America, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates will increase by an estimated 145% from 1990 to 2020. Several challenges related to social strains, inadequate public health infrastructure, and underfinanced healthcare systems make cardiometabolic conditions and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) difficult to prevent and control. On the other hand, the region has high mobile phone coverage, making mobile health (mHealth) particularly attractive to complement and improve strategies toward prevention and control of these conditions in low- and middle-income countries. In this article, we describe the experiences of three Centers of Excellence for prevention and control of NCDs sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute with mHealth interventions to address cardiometabolic conditions and other NCDs in Argentina, Guatemala, and Peru. The nine studies described involved the design and implementation of complex interventions targeting providers, patients and the public. The rationale, design of the interventions, and evaluation of processes and outcomes of each of these studies are described, together with barriers and enabling factors associated with their implementation.