The World Health Organization has published its first evidence-based guidelines on digital health interventions, marking a significant milestone for the global health community. The guidelines provide recommendations on ten ways that countries can use digital technologies, accessible via mobile phones, tablets and computers, to improve health outcomes and strengthen health systems. For researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of design and health, these guidelines offer an important framework for understanding how digital innovations can be deployed responsibly and effectively.
The guidelines address a range of digital health interventions, from telemedicine services that allow patients in remote areas to access care, to decision support tools that help healthcare workers make better clinical choices. Each recommendation is grounded in a systematic review of available evidence, with careful consideration of benefits, potential harms, feasibility and equity implications.
Key Recommendations
Among the highlighted interventions are targeted client communication, which uses mobile devices to send health information and reminders to patients. Evidence shows that such systems can improve attendance at antenatal care appointments and increase vaccination rates among children. The guidelines also recommend digital tracking of patient health status, which can improve continuity of care and help identify individuals who need follow-up.
Telemedicine features prominently in the recommendations. The WHO recognises that remote consultations can expand access to healthcare services, particularly for underserved populations. However, the guidelines emphasise that telemedicine should complement rather than replace face-to-face interactions, and that privacy protections must be maintained. Consultations should be conducted by qualified health professionals, and the technology must not create new barriers for vulnerable groups.
Implementation Considerations
The guidelines acknowledge that digital health interventions are not solutions in themselves. Their effectiveness depends heavily on context, including the available infrastructure, the health needs being addressed, and the capacity of health systems to integrate new technologies. Countries considering digital health investments are encouraged to assess their readiness and to ensure that digital solutions are aligned with broader health system goals.
Interoperability and data standards receive particular attention. For digital health interventions to achieve their potential, they must be able to communicate with existing health information systems. Fragmented implementations that create data silos can undermine the benefits of digitalisation. The guidelines encourage adoption of open standards and careful attention to how digital tools fit within the broader health information architecture.
Equity and Access
A central theme throughout the guidelines is the importance of equity. Digital health has the potential to reduce barriers to care, but it can also create new disparities if not implemented thoughtfully. Populations with limited digital literacy, those lacking access to devices or connectivity, and people with disabilities may be left behind if digital solutions are not designed with their needs in mind.
The WHO emphasises that reaching vulnerable populations should be a priority. Digital health interventions should be tested with diverse user groups, and implementation should include provisions for those who cannot or choose not to use digital tools. Universal health coverage requires that no one is excluded from the benefits of technological advancement.
Implications for Design Research
For the design for health community, these guidelines underscore the importance of evidence-based practice and user-centred development. The WHO's systematic approach to evaluating digital interventions provides a model for how design innovations can be assessed and refined. Designers working in health contexts are encouraged to document their methods and outcomes, contributing to the growing evidence base that will inform future guidelines.
The guidelines also highlight areas where more research is needed. Many promising digital health applications lack rigorous evaluation, making it difficult to know whether they deliver on their potential. Addressing these evidence gaps represents an important opportunity for researchers and practitioners to contribute to global health knowledge.