Highlights from our 78th WHA Side Event

On 21st May 2025, Warwick University and STOPAIDS, with support from our 11 co-sponsors, hosted a side event at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva titled ‘Overcoming Barriers to Digital Health: Protecting Human Rights and Preventing Online Harm in the Digital Health Transformation’.

The purpose of the event was to spotlight ground breaking new research published by DHRP and to initiate conversations on how findings can be translated into action by governments, civil society, donor agencies, and UN agencies to deliver impact to improve the future of digital human rights.

The event begun with a context-setting panel who shared more about the broader context of digital health as well as DHRP’s research findings. After this, a second panel of high-level speakers unpacked these findings and considered actions that stakeholders must take to protect human rights in digital health.

“Without robust human rights safeguards, digital technologies risk reinforcing systemic inequalities and bias, particularly against groups experiencing marginalisation…” said Mr. Dimiter Chalev Chief of Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch at the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), when giving his opening remarks.

In response to these risks, he highlighted OHCHR’s efforts to safeguard human rights at the intersection of technology and health. Demonstrating this vision in action, Brazil’s Secretary of Information and Digital Health, Ana Estela Haddad spoke about the Ministry of Health’s commitment to implementing national initiatives to combat social inequities and promote digital accessibility and rights.

Reflecting on the study’s findings, panelists emphasized that achieving true digital inclusion required stronger leadership in the digital transformation, a targeted focus on marginalised populations, more digital literacy and the adoption of people-centred, equity-driven and participatory approaches in our collective responses.

Alistar Shaw a Human Rights Officer at the Global Fund stated that a key barrier to progress is the limited ability of young populations to influence how technology systems are “designed, governed and promoted”. He echoed the sentiments of Dr. Alain Labrique, WHO’s Director of Digital Health and Innovation who underscored the need for an inclusive mindset – one where there is “no legislation for people without people” or innovation without user involvement.

Dr. Manish Pant a Policy Specialist from the UNDP accurately and succinctly summarised one of our event’s key takeaways, “Young people are not just users of digital technologies, but leaders, advocates and change-makers’ – we need to invest in their leadership to ensure they have a say in the design of digital technologies”.

There is no better evidence of this than the moving accounts we heard from two exemplary youth advocates from our Ghana and Colombia Community Advisory teams – Solomon Atsuvia and Cindy Marcela Zapata- who not only illuminated the stark lived realities of key populations navigating this digital world but also challenged us to move beyond viewing them through the lens of victimhood. Instead, they urged us to see young people as innovators and a transformative force striving for a more just digital future where they feel safe to exist, connect, heal and thrive.

Bringing together just over 100 participants, the event clearly showcased the shared commitment and urgency surrounding our agenda. We look forward to our recommendations being implemented across all levels of governance to help shape a more inclusive digital health future.

Co-Sponsor List

• Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, University of Warwick
• Global Governance Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute
• Ministry of Health of Brazil
• Ministry of Health of Thailand
• STOPAIDS
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR)
• Digital Transformation for Health Lab
• International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA)