mHealth as a health system strengthening tool in China

Over the past 70 years, there was a rapid epidemiological transition in disease burden in China, from infectious disease to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which requires long-term prevention and management. Rapid growth in mobile phone use, internet connectivity and digital health technology, presents new opportunities for improvement in NCD healthcare delivery and population-based outcomes. Although there were a growing number of research to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the mobile health (mHealth) interventions for NCD management, the extent to which mHealth contributes towards the health system strengthening in China remains unknown. In this paper, we provided a high-level overview of mHealth in China and its role for Chinese health system strengthening. We conclude with several recommendations for the future of mHealth research in China based on existing evidence identified.