Symposium Chronic disease epidemiology, cancer and mobile global approaches to disease prevention F. Linkov a, *, E. Shubnikov b , N. Padilla c , A. McCallum d , R. LaPorte e a Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Science, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5150 Centre Ave, Suite 4-C, Room 466, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, USA b Institute of Internal Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation c University of Guanajuato Celaya Campus, Celaya, Mexico d NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK e Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA article info Article history: Accepted 9 December 2011 Keywords: Internet Global health Cancer prevention Supercourse summary The focus of this symposium was worldwide prevention of chronic disease through the use of inexpensive Internet pathways, as demonstrated with the Supercourse project, and other initiatives, including promoting mobile phone technology (m-health). This sympo- sium highlighted the need to use the Supercourse to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. It also highlighted several components of the Supercourse library, including the former Soviet Union network, the Latin American network, and some other initiatives. ª 2011 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Introduction The Supercourse (www.pitt.edu/wsuper1) is a library of PowerPoint lectures on epidemiology, global health and prevention, presented as slide sets and tutorial notes for individual, small-group and arena-based learning. In extreme conditions, such as after a disaster or early in the H1N1 pandemic, leaders in the field summarize the epidemiology and provide evidence to guide public health action. This facilitates rapid learning by non-specialist staff, and enables experts to focus on the provision of scientific advice and responsive research rather than the production of briefing materials. In recent years, the Supercourse team at the University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA has been developing the concept of mobile global health (m-health). This is the application of mobile technologies to solving health challenges around the world. As of August 2011, over 80% of the world’s pop- ulation had access to mobile phones. That number is expected to reach 100% by 2013. In cities such as Washington, DC, USA, nearly 50% of homeless people have access to mobile phones. The mobile community could play an important role in improving health around the world by sharing and promoting public health messages. Chronic conditions are the major causes of death world- wide, with over 80% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory * Corresponding author. E-mail address: faina.linkov@gmail.com (F. Linkov). Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Public Health journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/puhe public health 126 (2012) 206 e209 0033-3506/$ e see front matter ª 2011 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2011.12.009