Amplifying the Impact: Examining the Intersection of Mobile Health and Mobile Finance

A discussion guide for collaborative insight presented by the World Economic Forum, in partnership with the mHealth Alliance

In looking at the rapidly expanding adoption of mobile communications, one of the most promising opportunities for positive socioeconomic change lies in the scaling of mobile health and mobile financial services (MFS). In fact, more people today have access to a mobile phone than to clean water or the electrical grid.1 By 2012, it is estimated that there will be 1.7 billion people who have mobile phones but no bank account. Of those individuals, approximately 1 billion will also lack access to healthcare systems.2 Providing services in an affordable and sustainable manner for these individuals is a significant challenge. While reduced costs and advances in network coverage are accelerating, the underlying business models to sustain this growth are unclear.