Navajo Nation To Begin Using Telemedicine, GPS Technology To Help Tribal Members Monitor Diabetes

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Also Included In: IT / Internet / E-mail;  Diabetes
Article Date: 22 Nov 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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The Navajo Nation will begin using electronic devices, industrial weather balloons and global positioning system technology to help monitor tribal members' glucose levels, tribal members announced Monday, InformationWeek reports.

Members of the Navajo Nation, many of whom lack access to telephones, will be given glucose monitors that transmit information to Space Data balloons flying at about 65,000 feet, InformationWeek reports. The balloons, which can cover 7,205 square miles, are launched throughout the day and can relay information back in parachute packages that can be located by GPS. Health care providers will be able to monitor patients' glucose levels and provide feedback and emergency services.

The Navajo Nation Special Diabetes Project is collaborating on the project with the Space Data Corporation and USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant program (Jones, InformationWeek, 11/19).

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