Strengthening digital health can prevent millions of deaths from non-communicable diseases

Investing today's extra $0.24 per patient per year in digital health interventions, such as telemedicine, mobile messaging and chatbots, could help save more than 2 million lives from non-communicable diseases over the next decade, according to a new report jointly published by the World health organization (WHO) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union). This investment could also prevent approximately 7 million acute events and hospitalizations, significantly reducing the pressure on healthcare systems worldwide.

Publication under the title “Digitization for non-communicable diseases: a case for action“ was launched at an event organized by the Government of The Gambia during the 79^th The General Assembly of the United Nations, in cooperation with the ITU and the WHO.

“The future of healthcare is digital. But to turn this vision into reality, we also need resources and collaboration,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. No single organization can do it alone. We call on governments, partners and donors to come together, invest strategically and ensure that these life-saving innovations reach those who need them most.”

“The digital revolution has the potential to trigger a health revolution,” said ITU Secretary General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “At ITU, universal meaningful connectivity is a priority because digital is a catalyst for achieving goals in key sectors such as health and education. We call for greater collaboration between the health and technology sectors, including the development of strong digital public infrastructure, critical to delivering digital health services that can benefit people everywhere, leaving no one behind.”

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, are responsible for more than 74% of global deaths annually, many of which are preventable. Although significant progress has been made in the fight against non-communicable diseases, the integration of digital health technologies into mainstream health systems remains a challenge. The report shows that there is an urgent need to harness these technologies to scale up effective interventions and alleviate the growing burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

The four main risk factors associated with our daily environment – ​​tobacco use, unhealthy diet, harmful alcohol use and physical inactivity – trigger reactions in our bodies that also increase the risk of non-communicable diseases: high blood pressure, obesity, high blood glucose and high cholesterol. Digital tools, including mobile messaging and chatbots, can help individuals understand their modifiable risk factors and encourage them to develop healthier habits.

People living with NCDs require regular monitoring and ongoing treatment, and many require long-term and specialized care. Digital tools like telemedicine can help them overcome barriers to accessing healthcare. Real-time data and tools for healthcare professionals can also help them make informed decisions about their patients.

Although more than 60% of countries have developed a digital health strategy, there is often a lack of integration of new technologies into existing health infrastructure. The report calls on countries to invest in digital public infrastructure and promote standards and interoperability that can overcome critical barriers to realizing the full potential of digital health.

The report serves as a blueprint for action, complementing World Health Organization's Global Initiative on Digital Health and Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025. The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on NCD Prevention and Controlwith (UNIATF) Secretariat, in cooperation with WHO and ITU, including through Budi He@lthy, Budi Mobile programare committed to providing tailored strategic planning and advocacy support to governments.

Note to editors:

• In Senegal, the integration of mHealth solutions has brought numerous advantages in the prevention and control of diabetes. The “mRamadan” campaign, part of the Be Healthy, Be Mobile program launched in 2014, uses mobile technologies to provide preventive advice and promote a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan. Using a cultural tradition that is deeply meaningful to Senegal's Muslim population, the campaign achieved greater public engagement, reaching more than 200,000 users. The initiative contributed to the advancement of technical capabilities and cross-sectoral partnerships to promote public health outcomes.
• WHO's prototype digital health promoter, SARAH, started as a chatbot to combat misinformation about COVID-19 and offer information about healthy living during the pandemic. The platform has since been expanded to provide messaging for individuals at risk of hypertension and diabetes, offering accessible health information in multiple languages ​​through messaging apps like WhatsApp.
• In Zambia, Be healthy, be mobile program, a joint WHO-ITU initiative, uses telemedicine and mobile technology to promote NCD prevention and management. The initiative connects patients in remote areas with healthcare professionals for real-time consultations and monitoring of risk factors for non-communicable diseases, such as obesity and high blood pressure, helping to improve health outcomes.
• Kyrgyzstan has made significant progress in developing its digital health infrastructure, guided by the national digital transformation concept “Digital Kyrgyzstan 2019-2023”. The country focused on creating a unified health information system, establishing a national e-Health Center and promoting ICT-based solutions. This effort led to the pilot testing of electronic health record platforms, capacity building for medical staff, and the introduction of e-clinical information forms in primary care. The strategic benefits of this transformation were evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Kyrgyzstan quickly developed a digital registry for vaccination certificates, eliminating the need for paper forms and saving approximately 850,000 hours of work for health workers and public employees.

About UN NCD Task Force

The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (UN NCD Task Force) was established in 2013 by the UN Secretary-General to support Member States in scaling up action on NCDs. Its role is to bring together the United Nations system in the fight against non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions. It uses its networks and expertise to help governments develop and implement effective responses to prevent and control NCDs. Bringing together more than 46 UN agencies, as well as the World Bank and regional development banks, the UN Task Force on NCDs promotes a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

More information about UNIATF is available here https://uniatf.who.int/