Public Health Wales Becomes WHO Collaborating Centre For Digital Health Equity

The World Health Organization’s European office (WHO/Europe) has designated Public Health Wales in the United Kingdom as a new WHO Collaborating Centre for Digital Health Equity, marking an important step in advancing equitable access to digital health across the region. The partnership will support WHO’s efforts to promote inclusive digital health and strengthen collaboration among regional stakeholders to ensure that all populations can benefit from health innovation.

This collaboration builds on joint research by WHO/Europe and Public Health Wales, which found significant disparities in the accessibility and use of digital health tools across Europe. The 2022 study revealed that individuals with poor health, migrants, and older adults face the greatest challenges in using digital technologies. It also showed that people living in urban areas, those with higher education, and those with greater economic means are far more likely to use digital health tools than individuals from ethnic minority groups or those facing language barriers.

Dr. Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe, emphasized that the people who could benefit most from digital innovation are often the ones left behind. She noted that only 25 countries in the region have implemented digital inclusion plans and underscored the need to address the drivers of inequity so everyone can access and benefit from digital health technologies.

As a WHO Collaborating Centre, Public Health Wales will contribute to research, technical reviews, and evidence gathering that support WHO’s digital health equity agenda at both regional and global levels. Its work will include implementing the Regional Digital Health Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030, identifying best practices, and guiding inclusive digital health policies.

Professor Alisha Davies, Deputy Director of Data, Digital and Research and Head of Research and Evaluation at Public Health Wales, said the collaboration aims to ensure that digital innovation is shaped by user needs, equity, and systems thinking. She warned that without addressing issues such as unequal access, digital literacy, and algorithmic bias, health systems risk reinforcing existing inequalities rather than reducing them.

WHO/Europe reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its network of collaborating centres to accelerate digital transformation in healthcare. With this new designation, there are now four WHO Collaborating Centres on Digital Health across the European Region.