Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Digital health interventions and innovations have been espoused as significant, cost-efficient, and inclusive methods of providing health solutions. Given the challenge of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using technology to speed up progress in offering health solutions is a valuable field of research and application. Research on digital health solutions has progressed in this area, yet there is limited research locating solutions within socio-economic contexts, considering that these solutions may exacerbate inequality. The current research review extends this argument by locating digital healthcare solutions in the sustainability framework of environment, social and governance (ESG) factors. ESG provides a proper risk process enabling a thorough, relevant consideration of these innovations, considering trade-offs, and hence considering the appropriateness or benefit to communities in which they are located. The cost of developing digital health innovations in time, finance and opportunity costs is significant, necessitating a full consideration of their application in real-world contexts. Therefore, this research provides an overview of E, S and G factors to consider in digital health solutions, an argument for the trade-offs that may exist among these factors, and a proposed framework to start developing a means of presenting ESG factors in this area. The dearth of information in this area demonstrates the need for further research and development and the formation of a taxonomy of ESG factors in digital Health. The research concludes that digital health innovation frameworks should consider ESG when considering their efficacy and applicability.
Source: Frontiers in Digital Health
Language: English
Subfield: Health Information Management
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,077
OpenAlex ID: W4415006652