Mobile Technology
Using Mobile Technology to Improve Young People's Health Around the World
In the U.S. and around the world, young people often face stigma, cultural taboos, discrimination, and misinformation that prevent them from meeting their sexual and reproductive health needs. From knowing about modern contraception to learning about healthy relationships, young people have a right to accurate sexual and reproductive health information. This is where Global Mobile comes in.
Global Mobile: Meeting Young People Where They Are
Global Mobile is a joint effort by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to make sexual and reproductive health information and access to services available to young people in Africa and Latin America using mobile technology.
We use technology platforms such as websites, short-message services, and mobile phones to improve the health outcomes of young people, combining:
- medically accurate, culturally sensitive health information with a human rights and gender equality perspective;
- referrals to quality, youth-friendly health centers;
- and mobile technology to connect Planned Parenthood’s award-winning health information with adolescents who need it.
Global Mobile’s sexual and reproductive health information is presented on country-specific websites adapted by in-country adolescent health experts in partnership with Planned Parenthood Global staff to meet young people’s unique needs. We support health centers on the ground deliver youth-friendly, judgement-free services, and use mobile platforms to connect teens to these centers.
Why Mobile, Why Now
Mobile phone usage is extremely high in the developing world. The number of people using mobile phones as their primary means of accessing the internet is at an all-time high, and is exponentially increasing. Crucially, as mobile phone usage grows, we see another trend: young people, often in moments of panic, confusion or indecision about their sexual and reproductive health or that of their peers, family or community members, turn to the Internet for answers.
Global Mobile captures this opportunity by supplying a product that users need, when they need it most.
Explore our Global Mobile site in Nigeria at www.dasubjectmatter.org
For media inquiries about Global Mobile, contact 212-261-4433.