Mobile Technologies for Public Health: Online Learning for High School and Undergraduate Students

An estimated 40,000 plus health-related mobile applications are available to consumers with more in various stages of development. Mobile technology can play a role within public health and it is important that the field evolve to incorporate such tools within the health behavior change repertoire. In order to train the future public health workforce, there is a need to introduce students to how these tools can be used to address public health problems.

During the summer of 2014, an online program was launched through the (blinded for review). Program content included an introduction to the field of public health, the basics of mobile application development, as well as how mobile technology can be used to address public health problems. Program participants were instructed to design a mock mobile application that could address a public health problem of their choice. Overarching program goals were to introduce high school age participants (14 – 18 year olds) to public health as a potential course of study and/or career path.

A limitation of the summer program was a low number of participants. The program was expanded and incorporated into an “Exploring Careers in Public Health” course in the fall, 2014 to include undergraduates and to determine the applicability of such material at the college-level.  Overall, participants at both the high school and undergraduate levels reported a favorable impression of the use of mobile technologies within public health and expressed interest in public health as a possible major or career.