Previously submitted to: JMIR Medical Informatics (no longer under consideration since Jul 04, 2025)
Date Submitted: Sep 21, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Oct 28, 2024 - Dec 23, 2024
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Evolution of Information Systems for Health: Regional Maturity Assessment from 2016 to 2023 in the Americas
ABSTRACT
Information Systems for Health (IS4H) are essential for achieving universal health coverage and reducing healthcare inequities. In the post-COVID-19 era, investing in the digital transformation of the health sector is crucial to optimize resource use, make informed decisions, and ensure cost-effective healthcare delivery. The Americas face a growing need for interconnected and interoperable information systems to improve data collection, strategic public health planning, and epidemiological surveillance, among others. Historically, there was a lack of standardized metrics and tools for assessing health information systems (HIS). To address this, the IS4H (Information Systems for Health) initiative was launched in 2016, aiming to Implementing universal access to health and universal health coverage in the region through interconnected and interoperable health-related information systems that assure effective and efficient access to quality data, strategic information and digital health tools for decision making and wellbeing. The IS4H initiative, led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and endorsed by Member States and strategic partners, focuses on implementing a better decision and policy making mechanism through health-related information systems and digital solutions that ensure universal, free and timely access to data and strategic information using the most cost-effective digital health tools. Implemented in the Americas Region, IS4H provides a framework for evaluating and improving health information systems through comprehensive maturity assessments. This article reviews the progress made from 2016 to 2023, highlighting key advancements in governance, data, information and knowledge management, digital transformation and innovation. It also addresses the challenges faced and provides recommendations for future improvements. The findings emphasize the importance of continued investment in digital health infrastructure, the adoption of international data standards, and the enhancement of digital literacy among health workers.
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