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Global Observatory for eHealth
eHealth is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for health. It is recognised as one of the most rapidly growing areas in health today.
The Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2005, adopted Resolution WHA58.28 establishing an eHealth strategy for WHO. The resolution urged Member States to plan for appropriate eHealth services in their countries. That same year, WHO launched the Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe), an initiative dedicated to the study of eHealth—its evolution and impact on health in countries. The Observatory model combines WHO coordination regionally and at headquarters to monitor the development of eHealth worldwide, with an emphasis on individual countries. Recognizing that the field of eHealth is rapidly transforming the delivery of health services and systems around the world, WHO is playing a central role in shaping and monitoring its future, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Contact
Global Observatory
for eHealth
World Health Organization
20, Avenue Appia
CH-1211 Geneva
Switzerland
Publications
All →
5 December 2019
Regional action agenda on harnessing e-health for improved health service delivery in the Western PacificThis action agenda takes stock of developments across the Region and in different groups of countries, and provides a systematic framework for deployment...
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8 November 2018
Harnessing e-health for improved service delivery (Resolution)Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, 069. (2018)
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8 November 2018
Harnessing e-health for improved service deliveryRegional Committee for the Western Pacific, 069. (2018)
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Mission and objectives
The Observatory’s mission is to improve health by providing Member States with strategic information and guidance on effective practices and standards in eHealth.
Its objectives are to:
- provide relevant, timely, and high-quality evidence and information to support national governments and international bodies in improving policy, practice, and management of eHealth;
- increase awareness and commitment of governments and the private sector to invest in, promote, and advance eHealth;
- generate knowledge that will significantly contribute to the improvement of health through the use of ICT; and
- disseminate research findings through publications on key eHealth research topics as a reference for governments and policy-makers.
Resolutions and deliberations on eHealth
The World Health Assembly in 2018 acknowledged the potential of digital technologies to play a major role in improving public health, where delegates agreed on a resolution on digital health. The resolution urges Member States to prioritize the development and greater use of digital technologies in health as a means of promoting Universal Health Coverage and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. (71st World Health Assembly, 2018; Geneva, Switzerland)
The Executive Board in January 2018 considered the updated report on mHealth: Use of appropriate digital technologies for public health. This updated version of the report also includes the use of other digital technologies for public health. (142nd Executive Board, 2018; Geneva, Switzerland)
The Executive Board in 2016 considered “mHealth: use of mobile wireless technologies for public health,” reflecting the increasing importance of this resource for health services delivery and public health, given their ease of use, broad reach and wide acceptance. “mHealth” or mobile health has been shown to increase access to health information, services and skills, as well as promote positive changes in health behaviours and manage diseases. (139th Executive Board, 2016; Geneva, Switzerland).
The World Health Assembly in 2013 recognized the need for health data standardization to be part of eHealth systems and services, and the importance of proper governance and operation of health-related global top-level Internet domain names, including “.health” (66th World Health Assembly, 2013; Geneva, Switzerland).
The World Health Assembly in 2005 recognized the potential of eHealth to strengthen health systems and improve quality, safety and access to care, and encouraged Member States to take action to incorporate eHealth into health systems and services (58th World Health Assembly, 2005; Geneva, Switzerland).
The World Health Organization in 1998 recognized the increasing importance of the Internet and its potential to impact health through the advertising and promotion of medical products, in its resolution on “Cross-border advertising, promotion and sale of medical products through the Internet” (101st Executive Board, 1998; Geneva, Switzerland).
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