Background
deaths, CHD, T2D, chronic diseases
DISEASE, TYPE 2 DIABETES, CHRONIC DISEASES, CHRONIC DISEASE
In 2015, a total of 71% of the 56 million global deaths were due to chronic diseases [SMS text messaging is a simple digital intervention that has been shown to improve behavioral risk factors for chronic disease. It is an accessible and affordable means of delivering health messages. Evidence for its use in smoking cessation has been well established through numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and it is now a standard component of many smoking cessation programs [There is also evidence that SMS text messaging can be an effective adjunct to clinical care in the management of chronic diseases, including CHD and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The Tobacco, Exercise, and Diet Messages (TEXT ME) study demonstrated that an SMS text messaging program providing motivation, support, and education to people with CHD improved multiple clinical risk factor measures, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, blood pressure (BP), BMI, physical activity, and smoking cessation [Apart from their use in smoking cessation, SMS text messaging programs have not been widely implemented or translated into routine health care for patients. Moreover, as outlined earlier in this section, previous trials have generally focused on a single disease or condition. It may be impractical or overwhelming for patients to be enrolled in separate programs for each of their chronic conditions. We do not know how well SMS text messaging programs can be integrated into routine clinical care and whether they can be structured to support people with multiple chronic conditions.