Digital tools can help improve women’s health and promote gender equality, WHO report shows

A new WHO/Europe report shows that digital health technologies can improve women’s health and promote equity. The benefits are primarily associated with improving access to health-care services, enhancing maternal health, providing essential health information, and empowering women to have more autonomy.

“Our findings underscore the importance of not only expanding access to digital technologies but also investing in digital health literacy and engagement among women. The autonomy gained through digital technology enables women to manage personal health matters on their own terms, access vital information, and foster social connections. This empowerment then extends to all areas of life beyond health, equipping women to make important choices and decisions,” said Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, WHO/Europe’s Director of Country Policies and Health Systems and a co-author of the report.

Health care and pregnancy support

The report, entitled “The role of digital health technologies in women’s health, empowerment, and gender equality”, found that digital health tools are particularly useful in areas related to gynaecology, obstetrics, psychiatry, nutrition, and physical activity. These tools can help track symptoms and medication intake in real-time, improving self-management. In addition, mobile health apps and telemedicine services can also assist in managing anxiety and depression.

Notably, digital technologies can be helpful at managing pregnancies. For example, a digital service in Norway was proven to be effective at providing information about pharmacological interventions suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding. By offering emotional support during and after pregnancy, digital solutions can also serve as an important confidence boost.

The report also highlights the positive impact of digital health tools associated with pregnancy termination. Utilization of digital services in home-based medical termination of pregnancy may offer a sense of privacy, allowing women to undergo a sensitive medical intervention in a discrete and comfortable environment. This privacy aspect might be particularly crucial in regions or communities with stigma or social barriers surrounding abortion.

Bridging the gender-based digital divide

The WHO/Europe review discovered that women can gain more control over their health by utilizing digital technologies. By facilitating easy access to information, support, and health-care services in a safe and private manner, digital solutions can help women increase their autonomy and decision-making concerning their health and well-being.

The empowerment experienced through digital technologies is an ongoing process affected by factors such as digital literacy, accessibility, and socioeconomic circumstances. An earlier WHO/Europe study found that women, especially from ethnic minority backgrounds, are less likely to have access to digital technology, the skills to use it, or motivation to engage with digital platforms. Despite representing half of the population, women make up a growing share of those who are offline.

Even though studies highlight the potential of digital tools to improve women’s health and well-being, challenges persist for health-care providers and policy-makers in deploying and scaling up these solutions. Women often encounter barriers, such as limited access to technologies, cultural and socioeconomic factors, and caregiving responsibilities. These factors exacerbate the gender digital divide and hinder the improvement of women’s health and empowerment.

“Preserving women’s fundamental right to health care and equitable access to technologies is crucial in today’s digital era. This involves addressing socioeconomic, educational, and humanitarian barriers. A comprehensive approach is needed to tackle the gender-based digital divide, including support from governments, initiatives by the private sector, as well as personal and professional assistance to girls and women,” said Dr David Novillo Ortiz, WHO/Europe’s Regional Adviser for Data and Digital Health and a co-author of the report.

Equitable, patient-centred approaches are at the centre of the “Regional digital health action plan for the WHO European Region”. WHO/Europe encourages its Member States to champion good practices, strengthen health equity and gender equality, and develop solutions to monitor and evaluate digital health policies and interventions.