While digital health holds immense potential, its widespread adoption faces challenges and risks that must be addressed to ensure equitable and effective implementation. Key challenges include:
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Connectivity and network infrastructure: In many regions, especially rural and underserved areas, poor Internet connectivity and limited network infrastructure hinder the delivery of digital health services. According to the
2024 ITU Facts and Figures report, an estimated 2.6 billion people remain offline worldwide. Internet access is 93 per cent in high-income countries versus only 27 per cent in low-income countries. Connectivity remains a major challenge to expansion of digital health in Least Developed Countries and Landlocked Developing Countries, where only 35 per cent and 39 per cent of the population are online, respectively.
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Policy and regulation: Inconsistent policies and regulatory frameworks across countries create barriers to the seamless integration of digital health solutions. Lack of standardized regulations, data privacy laws, and oversight mechanisms can slow the development and adoption of digital health technologies.
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Safety and security: The increased use of digital platforms for healthcare raises concerns about the safety and security of patient data. Cybersecurity risks, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive health information can undermine public trust and pose significant risks to patient confidentiality.
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Interoperability is the ability of different systems, devices, applications, or organizations to work together and exchange information seamlessly. The lack of interoperability between digital health systems can hinder the effective exchange of patient data across different platforms. Without standardized formats and seamless data sharing, healthcare providers may struggle to obtain complete patient histories, leading to fragmented care and inefficiencies.
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Affordability: While digital health technologies can provide cost-effective solutions, setup and operational costs can be prohibitive, particularly in low-income regions. The affordability of digital health services, including devices, Internet access, and specialized training, remains a significant barrier for many populations. In low-income countries, for example, fixed broadband costs nearly a third of the average monthly income, based on
ITU estimates. Additionally, the cost of deploying and using many novel and emerging technologies for health (e.g. AI for health) remains prohibitively expensive,
as reported by global health stakeholders.
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Institutional capacity: Many healthcare institutions, especially in developing countries, lack the technical infrastructure and human resources to implement and manage digital health services effectively. Without proper institutional capacity and support, the successful adoption of digital health is often limited.
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Disparities in access to devices and skills: Access to digital health solutions is often unequal, particularly when it comes to the availability of smartphones, computers, and Internet access.
Mobile phone ownership remains unequal between the populations of high-income (95 per cent) and low-income (56 per cent) countries, and between male (82 per cent) and female (77 per cent) populations. Furthermore, the digital-literacy divide means that many individuals, especially in low-income communities, may not have the skills to fully utilize digital health tools.
