Digital Health Interventions Could Save Over 2 Mn Lives, Says WHO & ITU Report

The reports suggest interventions such as telemedicine and chatbots, could save over 2 million lives from non-communicable diseases over the next decade.

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) suggests that a modest annual investment of $0.24 per patient in digital health interventions could have a significant impact.

These interventions, including telemedicine, mobile messaging, and chatbots, could save over 2 million lives from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over the next decade.

The report also estimates that such an investment could prevent approximately 7 million acute health events and hospitalizations, easing the burden on healthcare systems worldwide.

The report, titled "Going Digital for Noncommunicable Diseases: The Case for Action," was launched at an event hosted by The Gambia during the 79th United Nations General Assembly.

It underscores the significant impact digital health technologies can have on managing and reducing NCDs, which are responsible for more than 74% of global deaths annually.

Collaboration for a Digital Health Revolution

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasized the importance of collaboration to make the digital health vision a reality.

"The future of health is digital," he said, calling for governments, partners, and donors to work together and invest strategically to ensure these life-saving technologies reach the people who need them the most.

Similarly, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the transformative potential of digital technology in healthcare.

"The digital revolution has the potential to unleash a health revolution," she said, urging greater collaboration between the health and tech sectors and the development of robust digital public infrastructure.

Tackling NCDs with Digital Tools

NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, account for a large portion of preventable deaths worldwide.

While progress has been made in combating these diseases, integrating digital health solutions into mainstream healthcare systems remains a challenge. The report highlights the urgent need to leverage digital health technologies to scale up effective interventions.

Tools such as mobile messaging, telemedicine, and chatbots can help patients manage NCDs by offering accessible healthcare services, promoting healthy behaviors, and encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyles.

Four primary environmental risk factors—tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity—significantly contribute to the development of NCDs.

These behaviors increase the likelihood of raised blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, which are all associated with a higher risk of NCDs.

Digital tools can play a crucial role in educating individuals about these modifiable risk factors and guiding them toward healthier habits.

For people living with NCDs, regular monitoring and long-term care are essential. However, many face barriers to accessing healthcare, such as geographic location and resource limitations.

Digital health interventions, such as telemedicine, can bridge this gap by providing patients with continuous care, regardless of their location.

Healthcare professionals can also benefit from digital technologies, as real-time data and advanced tools enable them to make more informed decisions about their patient's treatment and management.

These innovations can improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare services, ultimately reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

Challenges in Integrating Digital Health Tech

Despite the potential of digital health interventions, the report notes that more than 60% of countries with a digital health strategy struggle to integrate new technologies into their existing healthcare infrastructure.

To unlock the full potential of digital health, the report urges countries to invest in digital public infrastructure and promote standards and interoperability, which can address key barriers.

The report serves as a blueprint for countries to take action on integrating digital health solutions into their healthcare systems. It complements the WHO Global Initiative on Digital Health and the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.

The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (UNIATF) Secretariat, along with WHO and ITU, is committed to providing governments with tailored strategic planning and advocacy support.

Through programs such as Be He@lthy, Be Mobile, the collaboration aims to drive the global adoption of digital health technologies to manage and reduce NCDs, ultimately saving lives and improving health outcomes for millions of people worldwide.

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