Enabling Digital Health Systems for Health Equity: A Youth Call to Action

Social, economic, infrastructural and other digital determinants of health continue to influence individuals’ ability to access, use, and benefit from digital technologies to improve their health and well-being. Marginalized groups including adolescents and young people, women, persons with disabilities and people in marginalised communities are disproportionately affected by these inequalities. Although the youth constituency is energised with vested interests in digital systems, they are not always equally or meaningfully represented within the digital health development space, especially in policy making, implementation and evaluation. It is in this context that Transform Health is seeking to bring together young people, communities and civil society to discuss the future of digital health, data governance and human rights.
This session will present the Youth Call to Action on Digital Health Equity, youth‑authored recommendations developed from consultations with more than 300 young people across regions. The session will explore how digital health systems can advance equity, strengthen Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and meaningfully include youth in decision making. The session positions youth not only as beneficiaries but as co-designers of digital health systems and governance frameworks. A multi‑sector panel will highlight perspectives from mental health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), non‑communicable diseases (NCDs), and health student networks, demonstrating how digital health intersects with diverse youth realities. This session positions youth as partners in shaping digital health systems that are rights‑based, inclusive, and responsive.
This discussion is particularly timely as Member States and global partners are accelerating efforts to strengthen digital health governance, AI oversight, and equitable digital public infrastructure for health.