TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of digital technology on health of populations affected by humanitarian crises
T2 - Recent innovations and current gaps
AU - Mesmar, Sandra
AU - Talhouk, Reem
AU - Akik, Chaza
AU - Olivier, Patrick
AU - Elhajj, Imad H
AU - Elbassuoni, Shady
AU - Armoush, Sarah
AU - Kalot, Joumana
AU - Balaam, Madeline
AU - Germani, Aline
AU - Ghattas, Hala
PY - 2016/11
Y1 - 2016/11
N2 - Digital technology is increasingly used in humanitarian action and promises to improve the health and social well-being of populations affected by both acute and protracted crises. We set out to (1) review the current landscape of digital technologies used by humanitarian actors and affected populations, (2) examine their impact on health and well-being of affected populations, and (3) consider the opportunities for and challenges faced by users of these technologies. Through a systematic search of academic databases and reports, we identified 50 digital technologies used by humanitarian actors, and/or populations affected by crises. We organized them according to the stage of the humanitarian cycle that they were used in, and the health outcomes or determinants of health they affected. Digital technologies were found to facilitate communication, coordination, and collection and analysis of data, enabling timely responses in humanitarian contexts. A lack of evaluation of these technologies, a paternalistic approach to their development, and issues of privacy and equity constituted major challenges. We highlight the need to create a space for dialogue between technology designers and populations affected by humanitarian crises.
AB - Digital technology is increasingly used in humanitarian action and promises to improve the health and social well-being of populations affected by both acute and protracted crises. We set out to (1) review the current landscape of digital technologies used by humanitarian actors and affected populations, (2) examine their impact on health and well-being of affected populations, and (3) consider the opportunities for and challenges faced by users of these technologies. Through a systematic search of academic databases and reports, we identified 50 digital technologies used by humanitarian actors, and/or populations affected by crises. We organized them according to the stage of the humanitarian cycle that they were used in, and the health outcomes or determinants of health they affected. Digital technologies were found to facilitate communication, coordination, and collection and analysis of data, enabling timely responses in humanitarian contexts. A lack of evaluation of these technologies, a paternalistic approach to their development, and issues of privacy and equity constituted major challenges. We highlight the need to create a space for dialogue between technology designers and populations affected by humanitarian crises.
KW - Biomedical Technology
KW - Disaster Planning
KW - Disaster Victims
KW - Disasters
KW - Humans
KW - Medical Informatics
KW - Refugees
U2 - 10.1057/s41271-016-0040-1
DO - 10.1057/s41271-016-0040-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 27899794
VL - 37
SP - 167
EP - 200
JO - Journal of Public Health Policy
JF - Journal of Public Health Policy
SN - 0197-5897
IS - Suppl 2
ER -