The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?

Background Digital health technologies, such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and electronic health record systems, have significantly enhanced global health security by enabling timely data collection and analysis, identifying infectious disease trends, and reducing infection risk through...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji, Esther Ugo Alum, Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Global Health Action
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2024.2419694
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832096708561993728
author Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji
Esther Ugo Alum
Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu
author_facet Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji
Esther Ugo Alum
Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu
author_sort Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji
collection DOAJ
description Background Digital health technologies, such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and electronic health record systems, have significantly enhanced global health security by enabling timely data collection and analysis, identifying infectious disease trends, and reducing infection risk through remote services. Objective This study assesses the role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and global health security response. It examines the application of digital health to early detection, surveillance, and data management in patient care. Methods We gathered data from scholarly articles published between 2019 and 2024 (found in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science), reports from the WHO, and case studies of recent pandemics. Topics discussed include digital health technologies, their use, benefits, and issues. We paid special attention to gathering the informed opinions and perspectives of specialists from various fields, including public health, technology, and government. The commentary synthesises these findings to offer suggestions for incorporating digital health into future pandemic preparedness and response. Results Digital tools improve communication, combat fake news, and reach the public, but data protection and public health remain challenges. Integration requires extensive research and collaboration between governments and the private sector. Conclusion The COVID-19 outbreak demonstrated the importance of digital technology in outbreak management, patient care, communication, and data sharing. As the world transitions into the post-pandemic phase, it will be important to build on these innovations and prepare for the challenges ahead in order to strengthen healthcare systems for future pandemics.
format Article
id doaj-art-db4fc31817734f91a563cd50f9eedf48
institution Kabale University
issn 1654-9880
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
record_format Article
series Global Health Action
spelling doaj-art-db4fc31817734f91a563cd50f9eedf482025-02-05T12:46:14ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802024-12-0117110.1080/16549716.2024.24196942419694The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji0Esther Ugo Alum1Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu2University of Nigeria NsukkaKampala International UniversityKampala International UniversityBackground Digital health technologies, such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and electronic health record systems, have significantly enhanced global health security by enabling timely data collection and analysis, identifying infectious disease trends, and reducing infection risk through remote services. Objective This study assesses the role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and global health security response. It examines the application of digital health to early detection, surveillance, and data management in patient care. Methods We gathered data from scholarly articles published between 2019 and 2024 (found in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science), reports from the WHO, and case studies of recent pandemics. Topics discussed include digital health technologies, their use, benefits, and issues. We paid special attention to gathering the informed opinions and perspectives of specialists from various fields, including public health, technology, and government. The commentary synthesises these findings to offer suggestions for incorporating digital health into future pandemic preparedness and response. Results Digital tools improve communication, combat fake news, and reach the public, but data protection and public health remain challenges. Integration requires extensive research and collaboration between governments and the private sector. Conclusion The COVID-19 outbreak demonstrated the importance of digital technology in outbreak management, patient care, communication, and data sharing. As the world transitions into the post-pandemic phase, it will be important to build on these innovations and prepare for the challenges ahead in order to strengthen healthcare systems for future pandemics.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2024.2419694digital health technologiescovid-19telehealthpandemic preparednesshealth surveillance
spellingShingle Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji
Esther Ugo Alum
Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu
The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?
Global Health Action
digital health technologies
covid-19
telehealth
pandemic preparedness
health surveillance
title The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?
title_full The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?
title_fullStr The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?
title_full_unstemmed The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?
title_short The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?
title_sort role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response securing global health
topic digital health technologies
covid-19
telehealth
pandemic preparedness
health surveillance
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2024.2419694
work_keys_str_mv AT chisomogochukwuezenwaji theroleofdigitalhealthinpandemicpreparednessandresponsesecuringglobalhealth
AT estherugoalum theroleofdigitalhealthinpandemicpreparednessandresponsesecuringglobalhealth
AT okechukwupaulchimaugwu theroleofdigitalhealthinpandemicpreparednessandresponsesecuringglobalhealth
AT chisomogochukwuezenwaji roleofdigitalhealthinpandemicpreparednessandresponsesecuringglobalhealth
AT estherugoalum roleofdigitalhealthinpandemicpreparednessandresponsesecuringglobalhealth
AT okechukwupaulchimaugwu roleofdigitalhealthinpandemicpreparednessandresponsesecuringglobalhealth