WHO releases draft global strategy on digital health 2020 – 2024

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a draft global strategy on digital health for the period 2020–2024. The document underscores that digital technologies are shaping the future of global health and defines four principles that aim to guide the ‘the global strategy towards the appropriate and sustainable adoption of digital health technologies within the context of national health sector and health strategies’. Among other things, the principles argue that the institutionalisation of digital health in the national health system requires a decision and commitment by countries, that digital health initiatives require an integrated strategy, and that major impediments faced by least-developed countries implementing digital health technologies need to be addressed urgently. The draft strategy also sets out strategic objectives intended to provide guidance and co-ordination on global digital health transformation and sets forward a framework for action.