The Impact of Digital Technology on Health of Populations Affected by Humanitarian Crises: Recent Innovations and Current Gaps

Author(s)

• Sandra Mesmar
• Reem Talhouk
• Chaza Akik
• Patrick Olivier
• Imad H. Elhajj
• Shady Elbassuoni
• Sarah Armoush
• Joumana Kalot
• Madeline Balaam
• Aline Germani
• Hala Ghattas Ph.D., University of South CarolinaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

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,weidentified 50digital 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 constitutedmajor challenges.Wehighlight the need to create a space for dialogue between technology designers and populations affected by humanitarian crises.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-016-0040-1

Publication Info

Published in Journal of Public Health Policy, Volume 37, 2016, pages 167-200.

Rights

© 2016 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in the credit line; if the material is not included under the Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission from the license holder to reproduce the material. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

APA Citation

Mesmar, S., Talhouk, R., Akik, C., Olivier, P., Elhajj, I. H., Elbassuoni, S., Armoush, S., Kalot, J., Balaam, M., Germani, A., & Ghattas, H. (2016). The impact of digital technology on health of populations affected by humanitarian crises: Recent innovations and current gaps. Journal of Public Health Policy, 37(S2), 167–200.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-016-0040-1