Global Observatory for eHealth

eHealth is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for health. It is recognised as one of the most rapidly growing areas in health today.

The Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly in May 2005, adopted Resolution WHA58.28 establishing an eHealth strategy for WHO. The resolution urged Member States to plan for appropriate eHealth services in their countries. That same year, WHO launched the Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe), an initiative dedicated to the study of eHealth—its evolution and impact on health in countries. The Observatory model combines WHO coordination regionally and at headquarters to monitor the development of eHealth worldwide, with an emphasis on individual countries. Recognizing that the field of eHealth is rapidly transforming the delivery of health services and systems around the world, WHO is playing a central role in shaping and monitoring its future, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Mission and objectives

The Observatory’s mission is to improve health by providing Member States with strategic information and guidance on effective practices and standards in eHealth.

Its objectives are to:

• provide relevant, timely, and high-quality evidence and information to support national governments and international bodies in improving policy, practice, and management of eHealth;
• increase awareness and commitment of governments and the private sector to invest in, promote, and advance eHealth;
• generate knowledge that will significantly contribute to the improvement of health through the use of ICT; and
• disseminate research findings through publications on key eHealth research topics as a reference for governments and policy-makers.