On 29 January 2025, our Director Ilona Kickbusch took part in WHO Europe’s webinar on understanding and addressing digital determinants of health. Ilona was joined by experts including Marelize Görgens from the World Bank, Robin van Kessel from the London School of Economics and moderator Ryan Dos Santos from WHO Europe, to explore the role of digital determinants and their implications for health systems and policymakers.
David Novillo Ortiz, Head of Data and Digital Health at WHO Europe, opened the discussion by highlighting the importance of digital determinants in health systems and their potential to breach health disparities. He emphasized that these factors are a core priority for WHO, particularly within the WHO Europe Digital Health Action Plan for 2023–2030.
Marelize Görgens added that achieving the sustainable development goal for health requires a fundamental shift in how digitalization is approached, underscoring the importance of the digital world in our health and well-being. Robin van Kessel reinforced this, pointing out that digital transformations are impacting not only digital determinants of health but also social, political and commercial determinants. In total, 127 emerging or changing determinants have been identified, with 30 classified as high-priority areas for action.
Ilona Kickbusch emphasized the critical role digital determinants play in enabling participation in education, work and daily life. She pointed out that while access to digital tools is essential, it remains a barrier, particularly in underserved populations. To address this, policies must ensure equitable access to digital infrastructure and hardware, promote digital literacy and protect vulnerable groups such as women, children and marginalized communities.
Ilona also raised an important question about the role of governments in digital inclusion, stating: “Why is WiFi not a public good? Why do people have to register? We need to think differently about access to technology.” She argued that digital inclusion should not be left to the private sector but should be considered part of the social contract, with governments taking responsibility for ensuring universal access.
Ilona referenced our work with the University of Vienna and the concept of data solidarity, which advocates for distinguishing between data used for public good and data exploited for private profit.
Ilona Kickbusch is the Director of the DTH-Lab. She is a visiting professor at the University of Geneva, the founding director, chair and senior distinguished fellow of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.
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Ilona Kickbusch is the Director of the DTH-Lab. She is a visiting professor at the University of Geneva, the founding director, chair and senior distinguished fellow of the Global Health Centre at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. She is known throughout the world for her expertise and is a sought after senior adviser and key note speaker. Her areas of expertise include the determinants of health, health in all policies, and global health governance. She advises countries on their global health strategies, trains health specialists, and is involved in German G7 and G20 health activities. She publishes widely and serves on various commissions and boards. She has been awarded the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz) in recognition of her invaluable contributions to innovation in governance for global health and global health diplomacy. She has also been awarded the WHO Medal in recognition of her contribution to global health.
