SUMMARY: WHO digital health action plan for 2023-2030 (European Region)

In September 2022, the WHO (Europe Region) released its 2023-2030 action plan for digital health. While the WHO has heavily invested in digital health transformation since 2019, this regional plan aims to align strategic actions with the health systems' needs and place emphasis on health equity. Here is our summary of each of the report’s core priorities and analysis of how they relate to the latest HealthTech news and trends.

Priority 1 - Norms and Guidance

Strategic priority 1 points to the need to set norms and awareness of digital health by sharing evidence-based practice. It emphasizes the importance of developing formal agendas, guidance, and resources to enable digital transformation. In particular, it highlights several medical areas where digital health and HealthTech should be impactful - the promotion of universal health coverage, public health, and protection against health emergencies.

Industry Implications

While the previous pandemic forced the acceleration of HealthTech transformation, the WHO makes clear that this transformation is set to stay and demand will remain for the HealthTech market. Improved guidance, procedures, and resources will alleviate ongoing industry concerns about the difficult implementation of digital health products into today’s healthcare setting. In parallel, there will be an increased emphasis on evidence-based approaches to digital health solutions and so HealthTech companies will have to improve on clinical robustness.

Priority 2 - National Governance and Digital Literacy

Priority 2 recognizes the need to support individual countries in digital health governance and assessment of local needs in the procurement and investment of different solutions. Analysis of health behaviours, management of the infodemic, enhancing financial protection, and detection of epidemics have been highlighted as areas with the potential for great improvement with the assistance of AI.

Industry Implications

While the WHO recognizes the value of big data and AI for population and preventative care, it does not mention the practical implications of having to validate, enhance and cleanse the abundance of health data we have today. Furthermore, data protection laws within the EU have often created additional barriers for start-up companies wanting to utilize this data - it appears that this will need to be further negotiated.

Improving digital health literacy to overcome an ongoing barrier to the adoption of HealthTech, is also addressed. This echoes the NHS Long Term Plan published back in 2019. Perhaps there is scope to utilize technology in understanding digital health behaviours and thus tailoring different systems for different user groups. Consultancy for user engagement may also have a large role to play in the near future.

Priority 3 - Building Networks

The focus for this priority involves promoting interregional and multisectoral collaboration and facilitating dialogue amongst different stakeholders.

Industry Implications

NHS patients and healthcare staff have often felt negatively toward their experience of fragmented digital health services. Excellent research and great products do not necessarily equate to successful real-life integration or adoption. Stakeholder management and the sharing of expertise will be vital. HealthTech job recruitment will require talent from across the entire tech industry, including UX/UI designers, product managers, and more, to ensure that user needs are met.

Priority 4 - Horizon-Scanning and Identifying Solutions

Here, the focus is on ongoing issues with our health systems as a whole - including the growing demand for people-centred care (also known as personalised care), health equity, reactive care models, and preventative care. This should be actioned through the landscaping of new solutions and the development of monitoring frameworks, country profiles, and case studies to compare regional outcomes.

Industry Implications

This highlights the recent shift in how healthcare outcomes are being measured. A large portion of digital health start-ups has begun to emphasise personalised care and reactive care models. Technology has been promised to be the main driver toward accessible care and health equity. In order to remain relevant in European markets, companies could consider integrating these outcomes into their mission and sales models.??