Reducing community health inequity: the potential role for mHealth in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Papua New Guinea (PNG) faces formidable health inequity challenges. Technology and information is a key part of an effective health system and a potential determinant of community health inequity. Innovative uses of mHealth technologies are proliferating in PNG and may facilitate improvements in the flow of data and information in the PNG health system. However in isolation these are unlikely to lead to positive change in health equity. This paper considers the implications of mHealth interventions within the broader PNG health system, and discusses the importance of evaluation to ensure mHealth contributes to improved community health outcomes and health equity.