DTH-Lab Annual Report 2025

Publication
May 6, 2026
Aferdita Bytyqi
Ilona Kickbusch
By -

Annual Report 2025

When DTH-Lab first began work, we argued that digital transformations would become a defining force shaping the future of health. We highlighted the growing importance of data governance, the need to anticipate the health impacts of digital environments and the central role of young people in shaping these systems. In 2025, these were no longer emerging issues, but central to the global health agenda – confirming the prescience of DTH-Lab’s vision.”
Ilona Kickbusch, Director, and Aferdita Bytyqi, Executive Director

We are ensuring equitable and inclusive rights-based digital transformations by advancing value-driven approaches to digital transformations in health, putting young people at the centre of digitally enabled health systems, addressing the digital determinants of health and well-being, and building a new generation of health leaders.

Our 2025 Annual Report highlights: 

  • Our consultative approach to developing a framework for digitally enabled health systems that address young people’s needs.
  • Our collaboration with WHO Europe and Polish Ministry of Health which helped position the digital determinants of health as a public health priority.
  • Our efforts to advance practical thinking on AI governance and its implications for young people and health.
  • Our continued investment in building capacity and leadership of young people through our Regional Youth Champions, Research Fellows and the #MyHealthFutures network.
Read our Annual Report 2025
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References

As Executive Director of DTH-Lab, I'm driving forward the recommendations of the Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030 — bridging digital literacy, health literacy and civic engagement to empower communities and ensure young people thrive in a digital world. I am passionate about operationalizing innovative governance models to advance equity, protect communities and drive meaningful health outcomes in the digital transformations for health.  From building multistakeholder partnerships to co-creating solutions with young people, I work to strengthen health systems, protect digital health rights and foster sustainable, inclusive digital health ecosystems.  

My career spans over 25 years, spearheading international research, development, and regeneration initiatives on behalf of multilateral and bilateral agencies, as well as private donors. My previous professional roles include ICS Integrare, MBM, FAO, WHO and the Senior Coordinator of the Lancet and Financial Times Commission.

I am a DTH-Lab Founding Member and member of the Steering Committee; Member of the Advisory Board: “Health literacy of adolescents in Switzerland in an increasingly digital society” by the Swiss National Science Foundation and Member of the OECD Expert Group on AI in Health . I have a Dipl. Ing in Architecture and an M.Sc. in Urban Design in Development from UCL.

Ilona Kickbusch is the Director of the DTH-Lab. She is a visiting professor at the University of Geneva, the founding director, chair and senior distinguished fellow of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. She is known throughout the world for her expertise and is a sought after senior adviser and key note speaker. Her areas of expertise include the determinants of health, health in all policies, and global health governance. She advises countries on their global health strategies, trains health specialists, and is involved in German G7 and G20 health activities. She publishes widely and serves on various commissions and boards. She has been awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz) in recognition of her invaluable contributions to innovation in governance for global health and global health diplomacy. She has also been awarded the WHO Medal in recognition of her contribution to global health.

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