Digital determinants of health

The Commission’s analysis highlighted the impact of digital transformations on young people, a group that is typically more connected than older populations. The Commission called for action to address the digital determinants of health: a new concept that illustrates the wide range of direct and indirect ways by which digital transformations influence equity in health and well-being.

The digital determinants of health, and their impacts on different groups, must be better understood within the context of the major societal and structural changes that the digital transformation embodies and drives. Addressing these determinants constitutes an urgent challenge for health promoters, healthcare providers, policymakers and communities. It is also a key factor that tech companies need to be aware of to act responsibly.

DTH-Lab is bringing together academics and practitioners from different disciplines to develop new knowledge and evidence on how digital determinants intersect with other determinants to impact young people’s health and well-being and why they ultimately require new forms of governance. DTH-Lab is also spearheading global efforts to explore public health responses and coordinated policy action to address the digital determinants of health, particularly in relation to tackling digital harms to children.