By Ayomide Otitoju
A joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reveals that an additional annual investment of just $0.24 per patient in digital health interventions—such as telemedicine, mobile messaging, and chatbots—could save over 2 million lives from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) over the next decade. This investment is also projected to avert 7 million acute medical events and hospitalizations, easing the burden on global healthcare systems.
The report, titled “Going Digital for Noncommunicable Diseases: The Case for Action”, was unveiled during an event hosted by The Gambia at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, in collaboration with ITU and WHO.
“The future of health is digital. But to make this vision a reality, we need both resources and collaboration,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “No single organization can do it alone. We call on governments, partners, and donors to come together, invest strategically, and ensure that these life-saving innovations reach those who need them most.”
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin echoed this call, stating, “The digital revolution has the potential to unleash a health revolution. At ITU, universal meaningful connectivity is a priority because digital is a catalyst for delivering targets in key sectors such as health and education. We call for greater collaboration between the health and tech sectors, including the development of strong digital public infrastructure.”
NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, account for over 74% of global deaths annually. While strides have been made in combating NCDs, the integration of digital health technologies remains underutilized in many countries, posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide.
The report highlights the four key modifiable risk factors—tobacco use, unhealthy diets, harmful alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity—that contribute to conditions like high blood pressure, obesity, raised blood glucose, and cholesterol levels. Digital tools, including mobile messaging and chatbots, can help individuals better manage these risks and adopt healthier habits.
For those living with NCDs, digital health solutions such as telemedicine offer vital support by providing regular monitoring, long-term care, and reducing barriers to accessing healthcare services. In addition, real-time data and digital tools for healthcare professionals enable more informed decision-making for patient care.
Despite the potential, the report notes that while more than 60% of countries have developed digital health strategies, there is still a lack of integration of new technologies into existing health infrastructures. The report calls for increased investment in digital public infrastructure, as well as the promotion of standards and interoperability to overcome these barriers.
The publication complements the WHO Global Initiative on Digital Health and the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025. The United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on NCD Prevention and Control (UNIATF), alongside WHO and ITU’s Be He@lthy, Be Mobile programme, is committed to offering strategic support to governments in implementing these initiatives.
