WHO Webinar Explores Digital Factors Influencing Health

2024-12-27 prevention

London, Friday, 27 December 2024.
The WHO will host a webinar to examine how digital determinants like internet access affect health systems and policies, aiming to foster understanding and reduce inequalities.

Digital Determinants: A New Healthcare Frontier

The World Health Organization’s European office is set to host a groundbreaking webinar on January 29, 2025, addressing the critical intersection of digital technology and public health [1]. This event, part of the Decoding Data and Digital Health series, will explore how factors such as internet access and digital literacy fundamentally shape health outcomes [1]. A comprehensive study by WHO/Europe and the London School of Economics has identified 127 distinct health determinants that have either emerged or transformed in the digital age [1]. These findings underscore the growing importance of digital inclusion in modern healthcare delivery [GPT].

Bridging Digital Health Disparities

The initiative comes at a crucial time when healthcare systems worldwide are grappling with digital transformation challenges. The webinar will specifically address how digital determinants can either bridge or widen health disparities [1]. Key focus areas include data accuracy, algorithmic transparency, and strategies to combat health-related misinformation [1]. This aligns with recent developments in cyber-bioethics, which emphasizes the need for ethical frameworks in digital health implementation [3]. The event will be particularly significant as it coincides with the implementation of new EU artificial intelligence regulations announced in March 2024 [3].

The webinar builds upon recent policy developments in healthcare accessibility. For instance, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has implemented groundbreaking regulations in 2024 requiring hospitals to screen patients for various social determinants of health [4]. This approach demonstrates the growing recognition of how social and digital factors intersect in healthcare delivery [4]. Research indicates that regional digital divides significantly impact healthcare access and outcomes [5], making this webinar’s focus on digital inclusion particularly timely.

Future Implications and Practical Applications

The event will showcase innovative approaches to digital health integration, similar to those being developed by researchers like Dr. Robert Bennett at Mayo Clinic, who focuses on digital interventions for healthcare delivery [6]. The webinar, available in both English and Russian, will bring together diverse stakeholders including digital health developers, healthcare workers, policymakers, and researchers [1]. This inclusive approach aligns with WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, aiming to ensure equitable access to digital health tools across all population groups [1].

Bronnen

Health systems Digital determinants