Health Data Governance Summit June
Meeting report
Overview
Quality data governance is necessary for coordinating the necessary steps from data collection to use for evidence-based interventions for positive health outcomes. To build on global momentum for international coordination for data governance, on June 30th 2021, the WHO Health Data Governance Summit made the case for data as a global public good, discussed what data governance changes are needed at the country level, and highlighted possible solutions to complex data governance issues.
In responding to the urgent need for global coordination amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO and the global health community have an unmatched opportunity to strengthen good data governance, leading to better outcomes. These initiatives must include responsive policy and programs, reduction in reporting burdens, and community engagement at all stages of the data value chain. In promoting health data as a global public good, valuing local context as foundational to all data discussions, and sharing data governance best practices, WHO strives to support members states and partners towards the norms and standards for data driven approaches for the 2030 SDG Agenda and an equitable recovery from COVID-19.
The Summit united behind three shared objectives:
- Review the current landscape of global health data
- Share good practices in governing health data
- Encourage consensus for health data being a global public good and good practices for health data governance