HIS strengthening activities in the WHO European Region: WHO’s political mandate

Abstract

Collecting data and monitoring population health is a foundational function of the WHO, essential for global health security, tracking progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and guiding evidence-based policy. WHO acts as the custodian of global health data, supporting member states in collecting, analyzing, and using data to make informed decisions. This joint work with Member States (MS) is guided by several policy frameworks. First of all, by the overarching European Programme of Work 2 (EPW2). One of the priorities of the EPW2 is ‘Shaping the health systems of the future’: WHO/Europe aims to shift service delivery towards community-based integrated models of care, with a strong focus on prevention, while the digital shift creates new ways to reach people faster, earlier and more fairly. The digital transformation of health systems is not an easy task however, and MS share common challenges including fragmentation and lack of interoperability and insufficient data governance frameworks. To support MS in overcoming these, WHO/Europe is implementing the Regional Digital Health Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2023–2030, which builds on four pillars: setting norms, enhancing capacity, building networks, and focusing on patient centered solutions. In the current age, Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the way health systems operate. Based on the findings of a recent survey, WHO/Europe, together with MS and partners, at the time of writing is developing an AI roadmap for the European Region that aims to guide policy-makers towards coherent, ethical and people-centred AI approaches. Finally, WHO/Europe is in a valued partnership with the European Commission aimed at supporting MS in strengthening HIS and boosting data governance through networking, capacity building, and technical guidance, including assessments to provide MS with an objective, evidence-based starting point for HIS improvement.