The Global Forum on Health Promotion will explore in its 2015 edition how current and emerging technologies can impact on promoting health and well-being of people from all parts of the world, in particular the marginalized and vulnerable. Electronic communication and information technology not only covers technical development but also reflects a state of mind, a way of thinking, and an attitude which closely connects health promotion to behavioral change. Mobile health offers a way to empower citizens to better control their own health while reducing health care costs. Currently more people have access to mobile devices than to clean water, electricity or toothbrushes.

Innovative technologies have enormous potential to improve human well-being and to address health equity. This is particularly relevant in the area of environmental health where major technological advancements are contributing to decreased exposure to environmental risks. Successful examples of technological implementation illustrate the core values of equity. Technological progress, however, does not always guarantee equitable health outcomes. It needs to be implemented in partnership with communities and has to be based on core values of local autonomy, fairness and ecological sustainability.

This public event will bring together for the fifth time the leading players in the health promotion field from governments, academia, international organizations, NGOs and private sector to review experiences, share knowledge and build partnerships. A mix of keynote addresses, panel discussions and practice-oriented workshops will allow discussing existing tools and platforms that can be used for mobile-based health promotion services. Presentations will also showcase how e-health and m-health can impact and improve population health focusing on women, youth and the elderly.

This one-day event is organised by the Alliance for Health Promotion in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union, the World Health Organization and the Global Health Programme at the Graduate Institute, Geneva and is sponsored by the Federal Office of Foreign Affairs and the State of Geneva.

Conference Materials

Programme

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