Digital transformation of the health sector in the Americas

The digital transformation
is rapidly changing how the health sector connects with people and improves lives

The digital transformation of the health sector in the Americas is reshaping healthcare delivery, making it more accessible, efficient, and centered around people’s needs. As health systems become increasingly interconnected, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is championing innovative approaches to bridge gaps in healthcare access and empower data-driven decision-making for better health outcomes.

The Region continues to face significant challenges:

Service disruptions exposed gaps in access. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health service disruptions reached 95% at peak times, with serious illnesses going undiagnosed or untreated.

Critical data gaps persist. Some countries still lack basic health indicators, hindering their ability to identify and address barriers to quality health care.

The digital divide affects vulnerable populations. Access to digital health solutions remains uneven, particularly affecting remote communities and underserved populations

PAHO supports Member States in harnessing digital health’s potential

Strengthening information systems. When health information systems are interconnected, interoperable, cybersecure, and ethical, then healthcare providers can access a patient’s complete medical history, regardless of where they receive care. This efficient exchange of information enables coordinated, patient-centered care and supports informed clinical decision-making. Interoperability and electronic health records are fundamental components of digital transformation in the health sector.

Expanding telehealth services. For primary care, telehealth solutions enhance the management of chronic conditions and improve access to specialist consultations in remote areas. These tools promote healthy lifestyles, preventive measures, and early detection of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through various applications: mobile apps provide medication reminders and track health behaviors, while remote monitoring devices collect vital signs, enabling healthcare providers to monitor conditions in real time and intervene when necessary.

Progress in the Americas in implementing digital transformation

12 countries

have strengthened information systems and digital health strategies to enhance connectivity and bandwidth.

17 countries

have made significant progress in digitalizing vaccination
certification processes.

10 countries

have established
national committees on health information
systems for standardization, which facilitates
interoperability.

52.6% of Member States

have a national electronic medical record system.

PAHO’s telehealth toolkit

Based on open-source technology, the All in One platform, launched in 2022, brings telehealth services to remote populations in Latin American and Caribbean countries. Initially piloted in Trinidad and Tobago, it expanded to 15 countries in 2023. All in One aims to improve patient outreach and follow-up, emphasizing continuity of care for people with NCDs. It was developed thanks to the financial contribution of the United States government.

Platform features:

Assists patients in managing and monitoring their health and well-being

Allows health workers at remote points to create an “advance triage” for patient referrals

Integrating applications:

Instant messaging
Chatbots
Patient medical records
Digital prescriptions
Alerts when a patient’s test results are outside a normal range

Training for health:

Offers diverse learning strategies, including simulation and role-playing exercises

Helps determine when to use telemedicine or a combination of telehealth and in-person attention

Empowering public health with digital transformation for better health outcomes

Accurate and timely health information is crucial for effective decision-making and robust health system management, as countries
cannot identify and address barriers to quality healthcare services without reliable information systems that enable proper data collection and analysis.

Recognizing this, PAHO has been working toward strengthening information systems for health (IS4H) and promoting digital transformation in the Region, leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics to modernize healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes. Since 2016, with support from multiple partners, PAHO has developed tools through its IS4H initiative. Member States further advanced this agenda by adopting in 2021 the Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of the Health Sector in the Region of the Americas in addition to other policy documents, strategies, and plans of action to guide and accelerate transformation efforts across the Region.

Digital transformation goes beyond data collection, enabling interoperable systems that support cross-border information exchange, fostering greater collaboration among countries. By standardizing data formats and prioritizing cybersecurity, countries can protect sensitive health information while ensuring that systems remain resilient and reliable. These advancements also require investment in digital literacy, empowering health workers and communities to effectively use new technologies.

Emerging digital tools and innovations enable health systems to integrate diverse sources of information – such as disease surveillance systems, population health surveys, and insights into social determinants of health – into a unified framework. This comprehensive approach enhances health sector capacity to address inequities, allocate resources effectively, and respond to the needs of populations in situations of vulnerability, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.

“The construction of resilient national health systems based on renewed and strengthened primary health care requires the improvement of health information systems, the use of technologies such as telemedicine, and progress toward the digital transformation of the health sector.”
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa da Silva Jr., PAHO Director

The digital transformation is rapidly changing how the health sector connects with people and improves lives