Our work

Digital and data governance

Advancing value-driven governance of digital transformations for health

Across the world, the full potential of digitalization to improve health and well-being is not being realized. Uncoordinated approaches to digital transformation and weak governance of digital platforms and AI exacerbate health inequities, fail to protect people from digital harms, and undermine public trust in digital solutions and data. Countries with the largest populations of young people are facing a double disadvantage of weak health systems and low levels of affordable and reliable digital access. These same countries also tend to have fewer instruments in place to protect young people’s digital rights and keep them and their data safe. As levels of connectivity increase, concerted efforts are required to improve the health and well-being of young people growing up in a digital world.

Trusted and inclusive governance architectures based on equity, solidarity, human rights and other Health for All values are critical to ensure that digital transformations deliver safe and sustainable health futures for young people. DTH-Lab works with young people to promote, co-create and test policies, instruments and legislation that build trust in health ecosystems and maximize the public value and health benefits of data and AI.

Our work to advance value-driven governance currently focuses on two areas: data solidarity and strengthening digital governance.

Data solidarity

The Governing Health Futures 2030 Commission recommended that all actors should enact an approach to the collection and use of data based on the concept of data solidarity. Solidarity‑based data governance – or data solidarity for short – helps to ensure that the benefits and costs of digital practices are borne collectively and fairly. DTH‑Lab is working with partners to champion the principles of data solidarity in real‑world applications, with a particular focus on health, as well as developing tools for assessing and maximizing the public value of data uses.

Digital governance

The governance of digital transformations, including AI, must be driven by public purpose, not profit. DTH-Lab is working to influence global, regional and national governance approaches so that the opportunities offered by digitalization are fully harnessed in support of universal health coverage and young people’s well-being.