Investing in Digital Health: A Path to Saving Millions from Noncommunicable Diseases

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) highlights that an additional investment of just US$0.24 per patient annually in digital health interventions, like telemedicine and chatbots, could save over 2 million lives from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the next decade.

This investment could also prevent approximately 7 million acute events and hospitalizations, easing the burden on global healthcare systems.

Launched during the 79th United Nations General Assembly, the report emphasizes the urgent need for collaboration among governments, partners, and donors to integrate digital health technologies into healthcare systems.

With NCDs responsible for over 74% of global deaths, the report advocates for stronger digital public infrastructure and interoperability standards to maximize the impact of digital health innovations. This initiative aligns with the WHO’s Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025, aiming to enhance health outcomes worldwide.