Brussels, 14/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - At the close of the European Forum on eHealth on 14 May in Athens (see EUROPE 11078), the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) said that online healthcare had to benefit all patients, including those with specific living conditions linked to their state of health, as well as the most vulnerable groups in society. The rapid growth of mHealth (mobile health), which includes smartphone apps and other tools, helps develop a greater understanding among patients of the healthcare sector and of the diagnoses that are made. Nonetheless, citizens are not equal when it comes to new technology, which has created new health access barriers, explains the EPHA. The latter calls for efficient integration of eHealth European health systems so that existing inequalities in health care do not continue to grow. The EPHA explains that “eHealth has the potential to improve access to healthcare for all people in Europe, contributing to the promotion of EU-wide solidarity. However, this hinges upon political commitment to tackle inequalities head on. (…) We need to see more targeted solutions for all those who may not have the ability to use ICT proficiently”. (IL)