The Brazilian Ministry of Health is launching a wonderfully innovative and socially good smartphone app called Guardioes de Saude (Guardians of Health), that is designed to track the Zika virus as well as a range of other known epidemics in the country during the Olympic and Paralympic games.
These huge sports events will result in massive numbers of athletes and tourists flooding the country of Brazil, something which could potentially result in an increased likelihood of the spread of diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. This is where the Guardians of Health app comes in. The app doesn't merely track the Zika virus but it also shares data with concerned authorities in order to inform measures.
Ultimately, this app is a great example of smartphone technology being leveraged for public health gains.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Epidemic-tracking Apps
- The rise of epidemic-tracking apps brings opportunities for further innovation in tracking and preventing disease outbreaks.
- Smartphone Technology for Public Health
- Developing smartphone apps for public health is a promising avenue for innovation and societal gain.
- Data Sharing for Disease Control
- Data sharing between apps and authorities can lead to better control of disease outbreaks and informed preventative measures.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry could benefit from developing similar epidemic-tracking apps to better monitor disease outbreaks and respond proactively.
- Tourism and Travel
- The tourism and travel industry can potentially benefit from partnering with app developers to make use of epidemic-tracking apps in disease-prone areas.
- Smartphone Technology
- The smartphone technology industry can invest further in the development of innovative apps for public health gains and disease prevention.
