Unit 4
Session duration: 6 academic hours, including:
- Lecture: 2 h,
- Case-based workshop: 3 h,
- Q&A: 1h.
Learning objectives:
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
- Explain the concept of digital health and its components (eHealth, mHealth, telemedicine, health informatics).
- Analyze how digital health systems contribute to climate resilience in health services.
- Evaluate the use of early warning systems, telehealth, and mobile health (mHealth) tools in climate-exposed regions.
- Explore the challenges of implementing digital health tools in low-resource settings.
- Propose climate-smart strategies using digital solutions in public health.
Case-based hybrid learning format: asynchronous case review + interactive group challenge.
Inclusivity & sustainability focus:
- Focus on digital equity and climate justice in digital access.
- Encourages localized solutions tailored to vulnerable groups.
- Strengthens students' policy communication and innovation skills.
Discussion questions:
1. How can telemedicine help reduce climate-sensitive exposure for vulnerable populations?
2. What are examples of successful digital health interventions in response to climate stressors?
3. What is the role of national health information systems in climate adaptation?
4. What barriers (technical, ethical, financial) exist for implementing digital tools in fragile health systems?
5. How can digital health reduce the carbon footprint of traditional healthcare systems?
The instructor:
- Presents examples of digital health systems in climate emergencies (mobile alerts for heatwaves, dengue reporting apps, remote triage).
- Guides case study analysis: WHO Smart Hospitals in Small Island Developing States.
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Leads group brainstorming on climate-smart digital innovations.
Students:
- Case study review and group presentation of lessons learned.
- Small group design challenge: “Create a Digital Health Response Plan for a Flood-Affected Community”
- Draft a one-page policy brief recommending a national strategy on digital health and climate adaptation.
Assignments
Before the session: 1) Read: a) Iyamu I, Gómez-Ramírez O, Xu AX, et al. Challenges in the development of digital public health interventions and mapped solutions: Findings from a scoping review. Digit Health. 2022;8:20552076221102255. Published 2022 May 26. doi:10.1177/20552076221102255; b) Cummins N, Schuller BW. Five Crucial Challenges in Digital Health. Front Digit Health. 2020;2:536203. Published 2020 Dec 8. doi:10.3389/fdgth.2020.536203; 2) Watch: “Smart Hospitals” https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6hS8Moik7kt1EidZqxuvfgb6zylP9zLp (PAHO/WHO video, 5 min).
During the session: 1) Analyze digital climate-health response case (Bangladesh flood early warning, mHero Ebola response tool); 2) Collaborate on a Digital Health Response Plan
After the session: 1) Submit Diary #4: “Digital health for climate adaptation: risks and opportunities in my country”; 2) Submit policy brief (optional bonus +5 pts to final course grade)
Recommended reading & resources:
1. Iyamu I, Gómez-Ramírez O, Xu AX, et al. Challenges in the development of digital public health interventions and mapped solutions: Findings from a scoping review. Digit Health. 2022;8:20552076221102255. Published 2022 May 26. doi:10.1177/20552076221102255;
2. Cummins N, Schuller BW. Five Crucial Challenges in Digital Health. Front Digit Health. 2020;2:536203. Published 2020 Dec 8. doi:10.3389/fdgth.2020.536203;
3. Smart Hospitals video https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6hS8Moik7kt1EidZqxuvfgb6zylP9zLp
4. WHO. (2021). Smart Hospitals Toolkit. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/smart-hospitals-toolkit
5. UNEP. (2022). Digital Transformations for Climate Action: https://www.unep.org/topics/digital-transformations
6. GSMA. mHealth and Mobile for Development Reports: http://draft-content.gsmaintelligence.com/AR/assets/8784352/Role%20of%20VAS%20Vendors%20in%20M4D%20FINAL%20web.pdf
7. The Lancet Digital Health journal (selected articles): https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/home
8. Digital Health Atlas: https://dha.akuko.io/