Defining "Essential Digital Health for the Underserved"

The World Health Organization envisions achieving "Health for All," to strive for equitable access to important health information and services to attain wellness (WHO 2023a). The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the Canadian health system toward increasing digital health services, which improved access for some but underserved others. Integrating digital health into holistic health services delivery deserves careful consideration. This paper introduces the concept of "essential digital health for the underserved," by first defining the terms "digital health," "essential" and "underserved." Then, we share a summary of a discussion at a May 2023 conference with stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, health professionals, health policy makers, private sectors and health researchers. A series of papers follow to explore how digital health can help chart a responsible course for the future of essential digital health in Canada. In this post-pandemic era - with a health human resources shortage through attrition and retirement, an increased health service demand from patients and a greater strain on our recovering economy - innovative solutions need to be implemented to strengthen our Canadian health system.