International digital consultancy Reading Room is launching a 48-hour hackathon event, in support of Mens Health Week. With on-site support from app platform company Netbiscuits, Reading Room staff will work to create a mobile web app to help diagnosis of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

The web app will be built from scratch by teams across the globe in relay fashion, with the starting bell ringing at 9am on Tuesday 12 June in Reading Rooms London office, followed by the Singapore team, with the Australian team completing the app.

“Too many men suffer with BPH because they aren’t aware of its signs and symptoms, or are simply too embarrassed to talk about what they’re going through. We need to find a fresh approach to educating men about this disease, and that’s exactly what Reading Room is looking to do with its 48 hour mobile hackathon,” says Emma Malcolm, chief executive of Prostate Action. “If we’re going to get men to open up about BPH, we need to get creative – understanding the technology men carry with them every day, and using it to engage with them on an honest, open basis.”