Published on in Vol 5, No 2 (2013):

Can internet access growth help reduce the global burden of noncommunicable diseases?

Can internet access growth help reduce the global burden of noncommunicable diseases?

Can internet access growth help reduce the global burden of noncommunicable diseases?

Authors of this article:

Stefan Kohler1
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Noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of death in all regions except Africa. The worldwide number of internet users has doubled over the past five years. The internet can ease the access to information on low-threshold prevention activities and, thereby, help to promote health. Against this background, I present a recent web-based open access initiative by two German states that focuses on lessening four common behavioral risk factors associated with noncommunicable diseases. This open access web portal to strengthen prevention and health promotion constitutes a public health project with potential for scaling up in other areas that have or will gain internet access.