Harvard Medical School Announces Plans to Launch iPhone Applications Aimed at Promoting Public Health

Boston, MA, October 6th, 2009 –The Harvard Health Publications Division of Harvard Medical School announced today that it will launch a new program called HMSMobile to deliver a series of iPhone Applications aimed at promoting public health. The first such application will focus on the H1N1 flu pandemic and is scheduled for release to the public in early October. These applications will leverage HarvardMedicalSchool’s extensive knowledge along with its long-standing expertise in publishing health information for the general public. The School’s goal is to provide the public with the best available information on public health-related issues, including practical advice on how to reduce risks and how to respond in the event of a public health threat.

Professor Anthony L. Komaroff, professor of medicine at HarvardMedicalSchool and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications commented, “Increasingly, people are receiving information through mobile devices. No one carries printed publications or their computers with them wherever they go, but our mobile devices are always with us to give us answers—anytime, anywhere. People who have a question about their health want an answer now. Particularly with something like a fast-moving pandemic, “now” is when you need information. With this initiative, HarvardMedicalSchool will for the first time publish health information for the general public using mobile devices. The iPhone’s emergence as a device that is deeply integrated into users’ daily lives offers the chance to reach millions of people around the world, improving our ability to respond to urgent public health challenges.”

The first application to be launched will be focused on the H1N1 flu. Since the first outbreak of the so-called “swine flu” in April 2009 there have been over 180,000 cases of infection globally according to the World Health Organization.

Professor Komaroff noted, “The H1N1 pandemic presents a significant public health threat. The White House estimates that the H1N1 flu will be more severe than the regular flu. Flu epidemics are hard to predict. Any estimates may be too optimistic or too pessimistic. However, we could be facing the most serious pandemic in a generation. Nothing is more important at this time than making sure the public is informed and prepared.”

The planned iPhone application on the H1N1 flu will include science-based information on the state of the pandemic’s spread; practical steps people can take to mitigate their risk of infection; key symptoms to watch for; and how to act in case of a suspected infection. In addition, the application will provide businesses with specific information on how to best prepare their enterprises for managing through the pandemic. This business-focused content was developed in collaboration with HarvardBusinessSchool.

Michael E. Porter, Harvard Professor, internationally-known authority on health care strategy, and Harvard Health Publications advisor, added, “Our nation’s response to H1N1 is going to be a real test of our ability to deal with nation-wide systemic threats. Utilizing the power of mobile technologies is going to be a critical component in our response profile. These tools offer unprecedented ability to put information in the palm of people’s hands at the very moment when it can make the most difference – when a first symptom is spotted, when a co-worker gets sick, when a family member is in need of care. That can make the difference between a destructive, panicked reaction and a thoughtful, preventative response.”

HMSMobile, which was developed in cooperation with The Imagine Network as a strategic partner, represents the commitment of HarvardMedicalSchool’s doctors and scientists to provide people with knowledge and skills that will improve their health. Over time HMSMobile plans to expand its offerings to include content for additional platforms beyond the iPhone series, as different mobile devices add functionality that allows for similar integration.

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About HarvardMedicalSchool and Harvard Health Publications:

Harvard University established the medical school in 1782. The mission of HarvardMedicalSchool is to create and nurture a diverse community of the best people committed to leadership in ending human suffering caused by disease. It encompasses 17 affiliated hospitals and research institutions. Each year, more than 10,000 faculty members train hundreds of medical students and thousands of resident physicians and research fellows. Harvard doctors have developed a broad range of medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries and innovations for which they have received numerous awards, including 15 Nobel prizes. Harvard Health Publications is a division of HarvardMedicalSchool responsible for creating information about health and medicine for the general public—newsletters, special health reports, books, magazine articles, newspaper columns, and information for Web sites (www.health.harvard.edu).

About The Imagine Network

The Imagine Network is a global consulting firm facilitating growth for prominent corporations, business units and governments through competitive strategy combined with cutting edge utilization of ICT platforms. It embodies a group of organizations active in the areas of strategy, entrepreneurship, technology ventures, and non-profit and governmental organizations.