Digital Solutions Global Hlth

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Digital health has quickly moved from innovation to a mainstream tool in the delivery of health services in low- and middle-income countries. While the field has shown considerable promise in being able to transform health systems, many projects still struggle to move beyond the pilot stage and to find broader support in the health system. We will examine the use of digital health tools through the recent experience of COVID-19 and Ebola as well as in the provision of routine health services. This course provides an understanding of the various types of digital health interventions, examples of their use and the considerations of the national and global ecosystems in which these solutions are being implemented. Solutions covered will range from text messaging and basic phone functions to the use of Artificial Intelligence, the internet of things (IOT) and virtual reality. We will learn several of the evaluative frameworks for assessing digital health programs and apply them to analyze programs as well as design new ones. As this is a rapidly evolving field, we will draw from readings from globally recognized bodies such as the World Health Organization as well as project reports, journal articles and webinars.