Wiring Community Health Workers: A Winning Strategy for NCD Care
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Amplifying the impact of digital health
First published by the World Economic Forum here.
This report, written in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, focuses on the amplified impact of digital health in the hands of a trusted healthcare workforce: community health workers.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiometabolic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, are among the 21st century’s most pressing health challenges. Improving the capacity of health systems to mitigate the negative impacts of NCDs is of paramount importance – particularly in early diagnosis, effective treatment and sustained management.
With 4.5 billion people living without essential health services, digital solutions can truly transform healthcare. However, they must not amplify existing disparities but rather aim to reduce premature deaths from NCDs across all populations. The World Economic Forum’s Digital Health Action Alliance was formed with the ambition of highlighting opportunities for digital tools to improve chronic condition outcomes, and to do so with an equitable intent.
The impact of digital solutions can only be fully realized if technology works with – and for – people
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Non-communicable diseases account for almost three in four deaths globally, which may be exacerbated by 2030 due to a growing shortage of health workers
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The new World Economic Forum report, in collaboration with Mercer Marsh Benefits, identifies the use of digital tools as a potential game-changer in the global fight against these dual crises
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Placing people at the centre of digital health discussions could expand health access, strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes
