International Feminist Network

An interesting map to explore. It includes individuals, NGOs, and academic programs.

mHealth and evidence

“Mobile health (mHealth) is the provision of health services and information via mobile and wireless technologies. Within [many developing countries] the mobile phone has become ubiquitous, making mHealth applications an important tool with which to impact the health of [citizens]. When applied correctly, mHealth can make real contributions to improved health outcomes. mHealth has the potential to address and overcome (1) disparities in access to health services; (2) inadequacies of the health infrastructure within countries; (3) shortage of human resources for health; (4) high cost of accessing health; and (5) limitations in the availability of financial resources” (mHealth Compendium vo. 2). That said, like all interventions, mHealth interventions can have unforeseen side-effects that necessitate well-designed impact evaluation. For this reason, a new website designed in partnership with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health has been created to serve as the epicenter of mHealth evidence. mhealthevidence.org includes advanced search options for accessing evidence by topic, region, methods, or MESH term.

mHealth interventions really do have the potential to lengthen the stride of health services and providers in rural and disperse populations. A recent report by USAID contains twenty-seven case studies which document a range of mHealth applications being implemented mainly throughout Africa (because the report was compiled by the  African Strategies for Health (ASH) contract), but also other regions. It includes examples of mHealth interventions ranging from behavior change, to data collection, finance,  information dispersion, and service delivery. It’s worth a look-through. The use of mobile phones in health care surely has abundant room for growth, but considering that it’s a relatively new phenomenon^1, the emphasis on evaluation and evidences is refreshing to see.

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¹mHealth interventions may have been around for a decade now, but it’s only been recently that so many individuals have had ready access to a mobile phone. Now if we could just get them the electricity to charge those phones….
²Here is an interesting website  to find further mHealth interventions

Dustin Hoffman, Appearance, and the Listserve

I saw this on Upworthy and appreciated it. Adam Mordecai gives this preamble:

“Back in the day, for those of you younger folk, Dustin Hoffman made a movie called “Tootsie.” (iTunes.) It was a hilarious and touching movie about an actor who can’t get a gig, decides to become a woman to see if it helps, and scores a role on a soap opera. Hilarity ensued. But it was more than just a comedy. Here’s why.”

We so often judge the worth and interest of people by their appearance. It’s not always the wrong thing to do; often sight is a logical tool for implementing heuristics. But of course, like heuristics, sight can lead us astray. Astray from things and people that are good, and pleasant, and insightful, and in need, and inspiring, and hilarious, and poetic, and beautiful. Away from friends and opportunities to see the world (or our lives) more completely by adding the perspective of someone unlike us.

Is there a person you’ve neglected by appearance?

A lack of appearances is one of the many reasons that I enjoy The Listserve. The Listserve is an e-mail lottery. One person a day wins a chance to write to the growing list of subscribers (currently there are 23,275 subscribers) without strings or payments attached. I’ve only been on the Listserve for two weeks, but already I’ve been granted access to the lives, minds, memories, opinions, ambitions, dilemmas, discouragements, etc. of fascinating and inspiring strangers all over the world. (To say nothing of the three fabulous book recommendations!) I encourage you to join.

If you could speak to the world without the pressure of physical appearance, what would you say?

Social Good Summit – 2013

“A new generation of leaders, with an unprecedented amount of connectivity and a drive for social impact, is taking its seat at the table. The fourth annual Social Good Summit, a gathering of world leaders, technology pioneers, grassroots activists and engaged citizens, is centered on the future and what we can do about it: #2030NOW. Held during UN Week, the Summit asks: Will the solutions we are creating in today’s digital world truly have a lasting impact on our future and how are we paving the way for the next generation of innovation?

Whatever global challenges we face, we know that quick and simple fixes are not always the best for deep-rooted problems. #2030NOW will confront the status quo of social media and social change by forcing us to push the capacity and longevity of current technology.

This year’s Social Good Summit will be more engaging than ever. People from around the world, in both the developed and the developing world, will unite in person and online to participate in The Global Conversation – the world’s largest conversation on how technology can grow communities and improve life for all of us as we move toward being a networked society.

For more information, visit here. “

The Social Good Summit is a three-day conference where big ideas meet new media to create innovative solutions. It will be hosted at the 92nd Street Y, in New York City. Buy tickets here.

And if you can’t make that event, Social Good Summit is encouraging people all over the world to create and join Meetups to connect with people and discuss the biggest challenges facing our world. All of the Meetups all answering the same big question: “How can new technology and new media create solutions for the biggest problems facing my community and create a better future by the year 2030?” Find or organize a Meetup near you here.