The European Commission has launched a consultation on mHealth or mobile health, asking for help in finding ways to enhance the health and wellbeing of Europeans with the use of mobile devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and patient monitoring devices.

Using mHealth is a triple win: it puts the patient in control, giving greater independence, and helping to prevent health problems; it makes a more efficient healthcare system, with vast potential for cost-savings; and it creates huge opportunities for innovative services, start-ups and the app economy.

Vice President Neelie Kroes said, “mHealth makes a lot of sense. It means less costly visits to the hospital, and people are more aware of their health and well-being, not waiting until they get ill, but taking more care of themselves independently. And it is stimulating the app economy and entrepreneurs! I am one of their customers: my wristband tells me when I need to take more exercise. So please, send us your input into this consultation to help us become global leaders in this fascinating area.”

European Commissioner for Health Tonio Borg said, “mHealth has a great potential to empower citizens to manage their own health and stay healthy longer, to trigger greater quality of care and comfort for patients, and to assist health professionals in their work. As such, exploring mHealth solutions can contribute to modern, efficient and sustainable health systems.”

Consumer and patients’ organisations, health professionals and health organisations, public authorities, app developers, telecommunications service providers, mobile device manufacturers, individuals and all interested parties are invited to respond to the consultation, by 3 July 2014.

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