WHO: Boosting digital health can help prevent millions of deaths from noncommunicable diseases

In today's fast-paced world, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) — such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory conditions — account for over 74% of global deaths annually. Many of these deaths are preventable, and the challenge now is how to better harness technology to combat this growing burden.

According to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), an additional investment of just $0.24 per patient per year in digital health technologies — like telemedicine, mobile messaging, and chatbots — could prevent over 2 million deaths in the next decade.

How does it work?

Digital health interventions offer a wide array of tools and services designed to both prevent and manage NCDs. Tools like mobile messaging and chatbots can educate individuals on how to reduce key risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. By encouraging healthier habits, these technologies help individuals take control of their health. In addition, telemedicine provides remote access to healthcare services, enabling patients to receive timely medical care regardless of geographical barriers.

Real-time data platforms allow healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about patient care, improving outcomes and reducing the strain on healthcare systems.

As WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus aptly states, "The future of health is digital. But to make this vision a reality, we need both resources and collaboration."

This highlights the need for strategic investment and partnership across sectors to scale these solutions.

Why does it matter?

The potential of digital health technologies goes beyond convenience; it's about saving lives and alleviating pressures on healthcare infrastructures. By preventing approximately 7 million hospitalizations and acute events over the next decade, these interventions could dramatically ease the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. The report underscores how low-cost investments in digital health tools could translate into major life-saving impacts.

Noncommunicable diseases are driven by modifiable risk factors in everyday life, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and smoking. Digital interventions help individuals monitor and manage these risk factors.

As ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin states, "The digital revolution has the potential to unleash a health revolution" by addressing today's most pressing health challenges.

The context

While more than 60% of countries have developed digital health strategies, the lack of integration into existing health infrastructure remains a significant obstacle. The report calls for greater investment in digital public infrastructure to support these technologies, ensuring their accessibility to all. Moreover, collaboration between the health and tech sectors is essential to promote standards and interoperability, which are key to scaling digital health services.

This report complements existing initiatives like the WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025 and highlights the need for tailored support to governments. Through programs like Be He@lthy, Be Mobile - governments can receive strategic planning and advocacy support to successfully implement digital health solutions. This collective effort marks an important step toward reducing the devastating toll of noncommunicable diseases worldwide.

By leveraging digital tools and fostering collaboration between key sectors, we can transform the future of healthcare and save millions of lives.