In the last few years, the use of mobile health as a tool to improve individual and family health as well as to improve patient-provider communication has grown tremendously. Personalized tools and the ability to get instant access to information have empowered individuals to be more engaged in managing their health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has taken steps to embrace these new models of consumer education and outreach through programs such as smokefree.txt, text4baby, and challenge opportunities to encourage innovation.
Recently, the Department released a Request for Information on a new library of messages called TXT4Tots which provides evidence-based information on nutrition and physical activity targeted to parents, providers, and caregivers of children ages 1-5 years.
Being true to our belief that entrepreneurs and developers who are given data can do some amazing things, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit input on how to effectively incorporate the TXT4Tots library of messages into a wide variety of existing public and private programs and products that can best meet the needs of parents, caregivers, and child advocates, including health care providers. Examples of messages in the text message library can be found here.
We need your help to make the most of government health data. On Wednesday, February 20, 2013 from, 1 – 3 p.m. ET you can participate in a public forum at the Hubert Humphrey Building Room 800 in Washington, DC to share your ideas. Alternatively, if you are unable to make it to Washington, D.C., we invite you to participate via webinar, and request that you register at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/769306734.
If you are unable to make both events but still have great ideas, tell us! You have until February 19th at 5 p.m. ET to submit your ideas to ohitq@hrsa.gov. For more information please view the full RFI at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-01-29/pdf/2013-01728.pdf.
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