Global cooperation on digital health

Initiative: 4.1.05 - International cooperation to advance secure and interoperable digital health as a core focus of the Global Digital Health Partnership

Leads: Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Digital Health Agency

Across the globe there is a collective effort to enhance worldwide digital health systems for the improved access and effectiveness of health information and tools.

The Agency and Department of Health and Aged Care play a vital role in collaborating globally on digital health through active participation in the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP). By engaging with the forum, Australia leverages the expertise of 36 member countries and 3 international organisations to enhance its digital health systems.

This partnership enables the exchange of best practices, knowledge sharing and the implementation of effective digital health initiatives to advance secure and interoperable digital health.

The GDHP is in a unique position to support the adoption of digital health services globally that can improve health and care outcomes, transform access to services and support people to take more control of their health information.

Progress so far

Australia holds a seat on the GDHP’s Executive Committee and is co-chair of the GDHP’s Evidence and Evaluation workstream and participates in others including Policy Environments and Interoperability, which in part is working on the challenges of an International Patient Summary to help travellers crossing international borders.

The Cyber Security workstream Australia also participates in has recently delivered the Model Security Notice (MSN), an open resource to help developers inform consumers about the cyber security information and protections within their products. This workstream has also provided input to a WHO cyber security guide for developing nations, which shares advice for protecting personal information.

In December 2023 the GDHP established its Clinical Governance Digital Health Interest Group, which Australia co-founded and co-chairs.

The Agency was instrumental in establishing the GDHP in 2018 and served as the Secretariat during its initial 18 months of operation.

Outcome 4: Data-driven

This initiative relates to National Digital Health Strategy Outcome 4: Data driven, which is focused on readily available data that informs decision making at the individual, community and national levels, contributing to a sustainable health system.

Strategy Delivery Roadmap

For more information, refer to Roadmap Initiative 4.1.05.