How has Aggregated Mobility Data-informed public health research?

Abstract

Objective

The widespread adoption of smartphones has enabled the collection and analysis of population-level mobility patterns through Aggregated Mobility Data. This type of data, which is derived from both operator and crowdsourced sources, presents opportunities and challenges for public health research. This data derived from both operator and crowdsourced sources, presents opportunities and challenges for public health research. We explore how this novel data source has been used in public health studies, its benefits, limitations, and ethical considerations.

Methods

We conducted a narrative review of Aggregated Mobility Data applications in public health research, critically examining its potential and challenges. A systematic search of Embase and Google Scholar identified 645 peer-reviewed primary research articles. We included English peer-reviewed and primary research published between 2010–2024 where aggregated mobility data was being used to evaluate a public health outcome. After applying inclusion criteria, 95 studies were included for narrative synthesis and descriptive quantitative analysis.

Results

We found the majority of studies to date using Aggregated Mobility Data were related to COVID-19. Reporting of ethical and privacy considerations varied widely, with some studies undergoing formal ethics review and others citing exemptions based on the use of anonymized or aggregate data. Key limitations of Aggregated Mobility Data included restricted access to data sources and challenges associated with small population sizes.

Conclusion

This review underscores the potential of Aggregated Mobility Data in public health research and highlights key considerations for researchers and policymakers. Future studies should address ethical standardization, data accessibility, and broader applications beyond infectious disease surveillance to fully leverage the utility of Aggregated Mobility Data in public health decision-making.

Public Interest Summary

With the rise of smartphones, researchers can now track population movement using Aggregated Mobility Data from mobile devices. This data has been widely used in public health, especially during COVID-19, to understand how people move and how that impacts disease spread. However, access to this data is often restricted, and ethical considerations like privacy protections vary across studies. Our review examined 95 studies to assess the applications in public health research. While this data offers valuable insights, future research should focus on standardizing ethical guidelines, improving data access, and expanding its use beyond infectious disease tracking to other public health challenges.