Seamless systems, better care: The need for integrated health data infrastructure

Can countries track health trends, improve outcomes and work toward universal health coverage without leaving anyone behind?

A robust health information system makes it easier to produce, analyze and share health trends, ensuring greater reach of health care. An integrated data system provides decision-makers with the information they need to design programs, develop policies and allocate resources optimally. Rigorous data collection and health information analysis can improve public health management and reduce administrative inefficiencies.  

The challenge: Limited data, resources and gender blindness 

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is a critical shortage of even the most basic data, such as registration records for births, deaths and causes of death, and basic health information infrastructure. Across Africa, birth registration is estimated at only 44%, while globally, nearly 40% of deaths go unregistered. In low-income countries, only 8% of reported deaths have documented causes. Women’s life events tend to be recorded even less frequently and systematically.

Designing health data collection to include gender differences is essential to addressing health disparities. Gender-sensitive data helps track progress on gender equality and informs policies and health system responses that consider the diverse health needs of populations. This requires intentionality, better data collection design and strong data analysis skills.

The lack or misalignment of human and financial resources, together with gender blindness, means LMICs are generally less able to collect accurate and comprehensive health data on critical indicators related to universal health coverage, such as reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV prevalence, diet and nutrition and immunization coverage. To address these gaps, many countries rely on large-scale, expensive surveys. These tend to be stand-alone surveys, both resource-intensive and less able to provide real-time data.

The good news is that sustainable and affordable system solutions exist, and many of them are championed by IDRC.

Global responses: Investing in health information and data systems 

IDRC’s unique contribution in this area is its investment in both enhancing systems to generate better data and strengthening the evidence-use infrastructure. The power of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in health care holds great potential for collecting and analyzing data. Such IDRC support uncovers patterns and trends to inform decision-making, rapid response and better health outcomes, including:  

• Technology and health systems: A research project called Strengthening Equity through Applied Research Capacity building in eHealth (SEARCH) advanced knowledge on how to integrate information and communication technologies with health systems globally.  
• Civil registration and vital statistics: The Centre of Excellence for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Systems (CoE-CRVS) supports global efforts to strengthen CRVS systems, which are essential for tracking demographic data such as births, deaths and other significant life events. CoE-CRVS emphasizes gender equality and provides technical assistance, global standards and evidence-based practices. It was created in 2015 by IDRC. In 2021, it transitioned to UNFPA, expanding its reach to 135 countries.
• AI in global health: Artificial Intelligence for Global Health is a seven-year global initiative aimed at strengthening health systems — from public health monitoring to point-of-care services — through contextualized, responsible AI solutions. It aims to improve maternal, sexual and reproductive health for women and girls, and preparedness for epidemics and pandemics. 

Making way for better health information systems and evidence use  

Governments and funders are investing in strengthening health information systems, CRVS systems and evidence use — many of which use AI and emerging technologies. Through a partnership called Learning together to advance Evidence and Equity in Policymaking to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (LEEPS), IDRC is supporting equitable and inclusive evidence-informed policymaking to improve lives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Yet, many research and evidence use questions remain:  

• How can we improve interoperability between health data systems? 
• What are the ethical issues in using health data for real-world evidence, particularly when it comes to privacy? 
• How can we optimize integrated data systems to generate information for use to improve health outcomes for all populations? 
• How can we design and carry out AI solutions to address gaps in data and evidence use responsibly and inclusively?

IDRC supports research and innovations tailored to local needs and capacities, and aligned with global data standards for prevention, treatment and tracking of health outcomes to generate evidence for use in building equitable and inclusive health systems. These investments represent a cornerstone to achieving universal health coverage by 2030 and meeting the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.