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Dr McCool will talk about adapting existing mHealth programmes for the Pacific settings. Her work involves questioning what adaptation means for delivery and evaluation of mHealth programmes, particularly in low resourced settings. She and colleagues are working to determine what is essential and practical for assessing the impact of mHealth interventions in settings where digital and mobile interventions may add value but capabilities and infrastructure is limited, considering issues of scale and sustainability as well as equity. She will also discuss effective communications for behaviour change, which will question the didactic, linear processing models that have been the foundation of behaviour change communication and mHealth.

Dr Judith McCool is an Associate Professor within the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland. Since 2008, Judith has led the postgraduate courses in global health delivered within the Master of Public Health and Master of Health Leadership programmes since 2008. In 2009, Judith was instrumental in establishing the Global Health Group at the University of Auckland, a network of academics and practitioners working in global health, with a focus on the Asia Pacific Rim region. Judith has led research grants in her field of expertise, including tobacco control, mHealth, health communications and been involved in research relating to hearing and eye health. Judith’s specific research interests lies in understanding the role of media, including social and digital media as a communication tool for social and behaviour change and health equity.

Although based in Auckland, New Zealand, Judith has established long-term partnerships across the Pacific Islands region to support government and NGOs goals for NCD prevention through implementation research and capacity development. Other areas of research include investigating the value of overseas electives on medical student training and improving equitable access to eye health services in the Pacific region (in partnership with the Pacific Eye Institute) and hearing health systems strengthening.

Please note that this session will NOT be live-streamed and recorded.