Digital Health

Digital health describes the use of information and communications technology tools within public health systems for the delivery of health services. Digital tools accelerate and expand access to quality health services in an efficient and effective manner.

Digital health is critical to global health security, and pandemic readiness and response. Digitized health information systems can track emerging outbreaks in real time, and support disease prevention and control measures to respond to health emergencies.  The scale up of digital health innovations is also critical to the continuity of essential health services during a pandemic. 

Digitally-empowered frontline health workers are strategic drivers for achieving Universal Health Coverage. By utilizing digital health tools, frontline health workers have access to patient health information for diagnostics, case management, defaulter tracking and informed decision making through the use of dashboard analytics.

An enabling ecosystem of improved mobile penetration, internet accessibility, supporting regulations, and increased digital literacy has propelled the uptake of digital health in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). For example, in Kenya, almost 100% of the population has access to a mobile phone, 65% can access a smartphone, and mobile devices represent 99% of internet subscriptions.[1] Collaborative partnerships have delivered convenience where patients make financial plans for their health and pay for health services from mobile electronic wallets such as M-Pesa, which is used by 57% of Kenyans.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONGRESS

Champion health data authenticity, integrity, and security to protect human rights and preservation of trust. As evidenced from the COVID-19 pandemic, access to credible health data and information from reliable tools and channels are essential in promoting proper health care seeking and promotional behaviour change.

Support the standardization of health program data sets as a global good to steer the effectiveness of health surveillance systems. A minimum global standard of health program data sets are critical to guide the design of health program surveillance tools for universal tracking and response effectiveness.

Invest in patient-centered digital health solutions to facilitate client-initiated health care seeking and decision-making. Patient empowerment through digital access to health information supports people to make informed decisions regarding their health.

Support the implementation of national health digitization strategies. Invest in infrastructure improvement especially in low- and middle-income countries to support the implementation of national digitization strategies as a means of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Expand access to telehealth in low- and middle-income countries to help close the equity gap. Digital health solutions that are easily accessible at the last mile will ensure that every member of the community has equal opportunity to easily access health care services and information from within their reach.

Support the integration of health tools and technologies into existing health systems for resilient programming. An interconnected ecosystem of digital health solutions that are anchored on existing national health systems will improve service delivery and health programming.

DIGITAL HEALTH AND COVID-19

The global response to the coronavirus pandemic shows the pivotal role of digital health in reducing viral spread, supporting those infected and their communities, and maintaining existing health services. For example, the WHO Health Alert service can bring accurate COVID-19 information to two billion people through a partnership with WhatsApp and Facebook.[9] The Government of Sierra Leone and the City of San Francisco use CommCare for case surveillance and contact tracing.[10] The Government of Liberia is using mHero to support electronic integrated disease surveillance and response for existing infection threats, like malaria, in addition to COVID-19 response.[11] Continued investment in digital health can help governments and their citizens respond to the pandemic and lessen its harmful effects.