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• Definition
• Issues
and concerns
• Indicators
and Rationale
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 Health
is a state of complete physical,
mental, and social well-being and not merely
the absence of disease or infirmity.
Source: WHO
 Three of the eight MDGs are directly healthrelated:
• Reduce child mortality (goal 4)
• Improve maternal health (goal 5)
• Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria, and other
diseases (goal 6)
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eHealth
Cancer
related illnesses
Repetitive
Strain Injury ( RSI )
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eHealth
is the use of information
(data) and communication
technologies for health processes
(Health System) either locally and
at a distance (WHO 2005).
eHealth
involves telemedicine,
telehealth, telecare, health
management information systems,
health knowledge systems etc.
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Why eHealth in Caribbean countries?
 E-health has the potential to increase the
efficiency of health systems, and to improve
access, especially in remote areas, or for
marginalised or excluded populations, or
people with disabilities and the elderly. It
can be used to improve service quality and
can reduce the cost of healthcare delivery by
reducing redundancy and duplication and
introducing economies of scale.
(Commonwealth Secretariat e-Health Initiatives Progress
Report to Commonwealth Health Ministers)
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Rationale
Proportion of health care institutions with a LAN
Wireless LANs bring the ability to access the latest patient
charts, medical records and clinical decision support data
at all times, anywhere in the healthcare institutions . And
as caregivers travel among different facilities, wireless
allows for easy connectivity at each site.
Percentage of health care workers using the internet for
research and referencing
Enables health workers to make better treatment decisions
Proportion of health care facilities using ICT by purpose
Measures improvement in the delivery of health care
through better diagnosis, better mapping of public health
threats, better training and sharing of knowledge among
health workers, and supporting health workers in primary
health care, particularly rural health care.
Wireless Internet has the potential to provide low-cost
broadband Internet connectivity to underserved and
remote areas.
Proportion of data/records stored electronically
Provides information on the management of information
and access to that information
Proportion of health care services accessible though ICT
devices/sources
Measures access to information and knowledge for better
health.
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Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases
that can affect any part of the body. Other terms
used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One
defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of
abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual
boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining
parts of the body and spread to other organs. This
process is referred to as metastasis. Metastases are
the major cause of death from cancer. (WHO)
The electromagnetic fields produced by mobile
phones are classified by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly
carcinogenic to humans. (WHO)
CARICOM
Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Rationale
Proportion of pop using computers and mobile
phones with cancer
Measures whether exposure to radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by
wireless communication devices induce long-term
health effects, in particular an increased risk for
cancer.
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Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is the term commonly
used to describe a set of musculoskeletal symptoms
affecting large numbers of people, often women, in
many countries. It occurs in workers who perform
repetitive tasks over a prolonged period, most
commonly in the hands, wrists, and arms, although
other areas may be affected depending on the type
of work performed. RSI causes considerable pain
and discomfort in the affected areas, including loss
of grip strength in the hand. Over time, disability
can become so severe that temporary or permanent
cessation of employment results.
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Proposed Caribbean Specific Indicators
Justification
Number of persons diagnosed with RSI
Measures the proportion of persons with Injuries
resulting from repeated motion (repetitive / cumulative
trauma disorders -- CTDs) This includes trauma to
the wrist, elbow or shoulder and ). According to the
U.S. Department of Labour, ergonomic disorders are
the fastest growing category of work-related illness.
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