WHO publishes policy brief on financing digital health technologies in Europe

The Health Systems Unit of the WHO Regional Office for Europe has published a policy brief entitled “Building financing pathways for digital health technologies in the WHO European Region.”

Digital health technologies (DHTs) offer significant potential to improve access to quality health services, enhance the efficiency and sustainability of health systems, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Despite the growing evidence base and practical experience in implementing DHTs, many Member States in the WHO European Region continue to face fiscal constraints that limit their broader adoption.

The policy brief analyses digital health financing through two interrelated functions: coverage policy and payment arrangements. It explores national financing options for DHTs, summarizes recent approaches to payment for their use, and highlights the need for harmonised classification systems and evidence standards to enable effective assessment of their value in disease prevention and health service delivery.

The publication is available at:
https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2026-13189-52963-82574