Technology in Health & Human Services

Technology is everywhere, wouldn't you agree? The U.S Department of Health and Human Services takes into consideration the new age we live in. The majority of American citizens have access to a cell phone, at least that's what it seems like. This very short article, "HHS selects challenge for Facebook app" released by the HHS Press Office informs us about the winners for a very special challenge sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). The Facebook Lifeline Application Challenge "called on software application developers to design new Facebook applications that could enhance individual and community resilience by establishing social connections in advance of an emergency" (HHS, 2012).

The use of the app would serve as easy access to millions of Americans on important reminders and notes in regards to their health and well being. For example, it would help people communicate in case on a national disaster. The first place winners' from Brown University app gives you the option to print out emergency preparedness card, it contains credible information from reliable sources and provides a news feed of friends and family in case of an emergency. The second place winners JAMAJIC 360 received $5,000 for second place, and TrueTeamEffort received $1,000 for third place, while 1st place winners, Lifeline won $10,000.

Here is what a rsaid Nicole Lurie, M.D., HHS assistant secretary for preparedness and response and a rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service had to say about the app:

“We’re really excited about the potential of the lifeline app to help people not only to reach out to friends and family for the kinds of assistance they may need in an emergency, but also to help improve their personal health and preparedness. Having people you can depend on for help is especially important during a disaster, so we want to encourage everyone to identify those people in advance. Since so many people use Facebook to connect with one another, it seemed like a natural way to help people to identify their lifelines.” (2012)

I have to agree and say that this was a genius way of making this type of information to many Americans like myself who are users of Facebook. Cal State Monterey Bay, also has started a very similar initiative, "The “Ideas of March,” a 54-hour Android Development Camp and Competition, which is open to college students, software engineers and programming professionals from the tri-county area who are interested in producing mobile apps. This event is sponsored by the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development at CSU Monterey Bay, the Monterey County Business Council and the university’s School of Information Technology and Communication Design, supported by organizations in the Monterey Bay area and Silicon Valley. Registration deadline is March 1st and I would highly recommend this to anyone who's savvy in this field.

At this time, I do not own a smart phone to download apps but when I do, I will have to say this will be in my top to download. I feel that apps are being used for many valuable things like protection not just for entertainment.