MTAM and HIMSS Join Forces to Promote mHealth

DETROIT - Aug. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- mHealth solutions have the potential to reduce medical costs and errors, remove geographic and economic disparities and reinforce consumer-focused and personalized healthcare for millions of people, regardless of location, race, age, gender or disability. With that in mind, the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan (MTAM), Michigan’s mobile/wireless industry trade association, and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), announce a joint agreement designed to bring attention to mHealth solutions for the benefit of mhealth app developers, device manufacturers, healthcare services providers and consumers, with particular focus on those solutions originating in Michigan.

The two organizations will capitalize on the resources and relationships of each organization, and focus on the growth of mHealth initiatives that will benefit Michigan’s healthcare and mobile/wireless communities, Michigan’s economy, and the mHealth community at-large throughout the U.S. and across the globe. As designated in the agreement, MTAM and HIMSS will jointly:

-  provide resources and publications,
-  events, and
-  establish relationships.

With more than 327 million wireless subscriber connections in the U.S., mHealth solutions are vital to making healthcare more efficient, effective and patient-focused. It is estimated that remote patient monitoring, driven by mobile technologies, will achieve over $36 billion in global healthcare cost savings by 2018, according to Juniper Research. In the U.S.by 2016, more than 3 million patients are expected to be monitored remotely over cellular networks, and revenue driven by mHealth technologies will reach $296.5 million by 2019, according to GBI Research.

“Mobile technology has the ubiquitous ability to touch all facets of the healthcare delivery system – quality, accessibility, safety and cost-effectiveness – which provides for the promise of mHealth. mHIMSS is excited to collaborate with MTAM because of the ability to learn from applications of mobile technology in other industries and apply these to the healthcare system,” said David Collins, Senior Director, mHIMSS Initiative, HIMSS.

Kevin Lasser, Chairman of MTAM’s statewide mHealth Advisory Council, added, “When an organization with the reach of HIMSS decides to focus directly on the importance of mobility in healthcare through the launch of the mHIMSS initiative, that says everything you need to know about the growing importance of making the one thing that most healthcare professionals already posses – their smart device – the most important medical device they can use.”

MTAM views mHealth as a vital growth opportunity with the ability to be a driving force in Michigan’s economic revitalization. As a result, the organization is utilizing its mHealth Advisory Council and its statewide platform, along with the organization’s national relationships, to provide opportunities for education, relationship building and business development.

“Due to changes in the healthcare environment, and the aging of the baby boomer population, mHealth is becoming an increasingly critical component to providing quality healthcare. We believe Michigan has the ability to be on the forefront of these efforts, and we take great pride that HIMSS has seen the work being done in Michigan and chosen to align with MTAM to showcase this message nationally and globally,” states Linda Daichendt, MTAM Executive Director.

For more information about MTAM or the mHealth Advisory Council, contact MTAM at info@GoMobileMichigan.org. Learn more about the mHIMSS initiative http://www.mhimss.org on the HIMSS website.

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About the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan (MTAM):

MTAM is a non-profit trade association for Michigan’s mobile/wireless industry. As the first state-based industry trade association in the U.S., our mission is to increase the use of Michigan-based mobile/wireless technology products and services in-state, nationally and globally; to increase the productivity and profitability of every industry vertical in Michigan via the use of these technologies; and to create sustainable jobs and increased entrepreneurial opportunities in the state based on the use of these technologies, thereby achieving substantial growth of Michigan’s economy. The association’s website may be viewed at http://GoMobileMichigan.org .

MTAM is also the statewide producer of Mobile Monday Michigan – the state’s branch of the International Mobile Monday networking and education organization. Existing chapters in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids have over 2500 members statewide.

About the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS):

HIMSS is a global, cause-based, not-for-profit organization focused on better health through information technology (IT). HIMSS leads efforts to optimize health engagements and care outcomes using information technology.

HIMSS is a part of HIMSS WorldWide, a cause-based, global enterprise producing health IT thought leadership, education, events, market research and media services around the world. Founded in 1961, HIMSS WorldWide encompasses more than 52,000 individuals, of which more than two-thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations across the globe, plus over 600 corporations and 250 not-for-profit partner organizations, that share this cause. HIMSS WorldWide, headquartered in Chicago, serves the global health IT community with additional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

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