Rio de Janeiro is using technology to transform and improve the quality of life of its citizens. Recent years have seen the city develop a solid foundation of data collection and integration which it is using to promote and extend joined-up city management. It is preparing to manage the legacy of the Olympic Games 2016 through projects that help it develop further as an intelligent City.

In the field of healthcare, Rio is planning to work with the three dimensions of intelligence found in Smart Cities:

• smart systems,
• new management processes,
• the participation of health agents and users.

The challenge in Rio de Janeiro is to integrate these three dimensions into a new service environment.

Already today, the city’s actions contemplate a management system of health units using digital records and drugs controls charts. Telehealth and similar systems are already operational to train physicians through telemedicine and videoconference.

Following this vision, Rio de Janeiro is looking for solutions to enhance the citizens’ quality of life in the city by integrating the existing social support and health systems intelligently and considering new ways of mobility, interactivity and network services in a reorganized and intelligent urban space.

Examples of applications could be SMS-based information on generic alternatives to drugs, prevention of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cardio-vascular disorders or addiction, early detection of social and health incidents or public-health risks, and remote mobile image-based diagnostics such as tele-dermatology.