Putting young people’s health and wellbeing at the centre of digital transformations

Many young people have grown up side by side with digital technologies, and they are among the first to demand and gain a clear set of rights in relation to rapid technological development for their health and wellbeing.

Digital innovations can help to improve young people’s health and wellbeing and achieve universal health coverage through their application in health systems, public health promotion and prevention, and personal self-management of health status and behaviours. However, without good governance, digital transformations can undermine health and exacerbate inequality. 

As levels of connectivity increase, concerted efforts are required to ensure that digital technologies are harnessed in support of better health and wellbeing for all and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Giving young people the opportunity to engage in these discussions will ensure that digital solutions work to benefit young people’s health and wellbeing.

The DTH-Lab will bring youth together with policymakers, technology companies and other stakeholders to drive change in three areas: (1) supporting digital health citizenship and youth co-creation of digital first health systems; (2) advancing value-driven governance of the digital transformations of health; (3) addressing the digital determinants of health. The DTH-Lab will continue the Commission’s portfolio of research and analysis whilst establishing multi stakeholder partnerships to co-design and test governance solutions, particularly in low and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia with large youth populations.