Abstract
The rapid digital transformation of healthcare is evident in the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced data management systems, wearable technologies, telemedicine, and mobile health apps. Collectively, they offer the promise of improved health outcomes, increased efficiency, and more responsive and equitable health systems. However, like previous major ideas in healthcare (such as managed care or accountable care), these benefits are not automatically realized or equitably distributed. This paper adopts a health systems perspective to examine how Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can inform the ongoing discussion about the benefits and challenges of digitalization. Emerging in the 2000s as part of a broader effort to strengthen and equalize healthcare systems, UHC emphasizes that essential health services should be accessible to all without financial hardship. This study draws on a wide range of sources—including digital archives of UN agencies, scholarly publications, blogs, and other publicly available materials—to trace how UHC intersects with digital health transformation. Three key findings emerge: 1.While UHC is often linked to financing and affordability, its broader vision can shape discussions about which digital health services should be included in benefit packages and how to ensure affordability during the digital shift. 2. UHC’s emphasis on primary care highlights the need to collaborate beyond the healthcare sector, addressing the social and environmental factors that influence health. 3. UHC’s emphasis on equity and universal access can be integrated into digital health system planning and analysis, serving as a moral compass to guide the transformation toward healthier and fairer societies.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Health Policies and Practices
KEYWORDS
Digital transformation, Universal Health Coverage, Accessibility, Financing, Equity, Moral compass
