Climate change has been named by the World Health Organization as the biggest public health threat (WHO, 2023). Digital health technologies have the potential to reduce unwanted environmental impacts, but can also have negative implications. The challenge is that little research has been conducted on how health systems are evaluating or adopting sustainability principles while selecting or adopting digital health technologies.

The goal of this research topic is to gather studies that focus on the potential and actual impacts of digital health tools and interventions on carbon footprint and environmental sustainability. This body of knowledge aims to support stakeholders in making informed decision about reduction of carbon emissions from digital health interventions.

The research topic would be divided into five themes:
1. Positive and negative environmental impacts of digital health tools:
Investigate the environmental footprint of digital health interventions, including their energy consumption, e-waste generation, and carbon emissions, and propose strategies for reducing their environmental impact.
2. Frameworks and tools for assessing the environmental footprint of digital health interventions:
Approaches for measuring the environmental impacts of digital health interventions while considering vulnerable populations, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement.
3. Sustainable practices in manufacturing of digital health technologies
Research on the sustainability of supply chains involved in the production, distribution, and disposal of digital health technologies, including the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing processes, transportation methods, and end-of-life management.
4. Equity and Access in Digital Health Interventions:
Examine the role of digital health technologies in addressing disparities in access to healthcare services exacerbated by climate change, particularly among marginalized and vulnerable populations, and propose inclusive strategies to ensure equitable access.
5. Role of regulations, policies, and governance:
Analyze existing regulations, policies, and governance frameworks governing digital health and propose recommendations for integrating sustainability principles.This includes health system policy analysis identifying pathways or services most suitable for digital health support based on their likely environmental impact.

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Frontiers in Digital Health

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