title: The impact of digital technology on health of populations affected by humanitarian crises: Recent innovations and current gaps.
abstract: Digital technology is increasingly used in humanitarian action and promises to improve the health and social well-being of populations affected by both acute and protracted crises. We set out to (1) review the current landscape of digital technologies used by humanitarian actors and affected populations, (2) examine their impact on health and well-being of affected populations, and (3) consider the opportunities for and challenges faced by users of these technologies. Through a systematic search of academic databases and reports, we identified 50 digital technologies used by humanitarian actors, and/or populations affected by crises. We organized them according to the stage of the humanitarian cycle that they were used in, and the health outcomes or determinants of health they affected. Digital technologies were found to facilitate communication, coordination, and collection and analysis of data, enabling timely responses in humanitarian contexts. A lack of evaluation of these technologies, a paternalistic approach to their development, and issues of privacy and equity constituted major challenges. We highlight the need to create a space for dialogue between technology designers and populations affected by humanitarian crises.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O.Box 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mesmar
authors.affiliation: Open Lab, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Reem
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Talhouk
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O.Box 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Chaza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akik
authors.affiliation: Open Lab, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer and Communications Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Imad H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Elhajj
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Shady
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elbassuoni
authors.affiliation: Center for Public Health Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Armoush
authors.affiliation: Center for Public Health Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Joumana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kalot
authors.affiliation: Open Lab, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Madeline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balaam
authors.affiliation: Center for Public Health Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germani
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Population and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O.Box 11-0236/EPHD, Riad El Solh, Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon. hg15@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghattas
mesh_terms: D020811:Biomedical Technology; D004189:Disaster Planning; D064891:Disaster Victims; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics; D012036:Refugees
keywords: digital; health; humanitarian; refugee