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Abstract Tracks

The Global Digital Health Forum 2026 invites submissions across the following thematic tracks. These tracks reflect priority areas in the global digital health agenda, including country-led transformation, governance, interoperability, artificial intelligence, workforce development, resilience, and sustainable financing.

Applicants should select the track that best represents the primary focus and contribution of their submission.

Governance and Digital Health at Scale

This track focuses on how countries are translating digital health strategies into scalable, sustainable systems. It explores governance models, coordination mechanisms, and practical approaches to moving beyond fragmented pilots toward nationally owned and institutionalized solutions.

Sample topics may include:

  • Scaling digital health solutions across programs and geographies
  • Governance, coordination, and accountability mechanisms
  • Transitioning from donor-funded pilots to national systems
  • Designing for low-resource and diverse contexts
  • Evidence-based decision-making on scaling or retiring solutions

Interoperability and Digital Public Infrastructure

This track examines the foundations of connected digital health systems, including interoperable architectures, data governance, and integration within broader digital public infrastructure.

Sample topics may include:

  • Interoperable system design across EMRs, registries, and labs
  • Data governance, privacy, consent, and stewardship
  • Unique patient identification and longitudinal records
  • Integration of health systems into national digital infrastructure
  • Open standards and digital public goods

AI for Health

This track explores the practical application of artificial intelligence in health systems, alongside the governance, safeguards, and enabling conditions required for responsible adoption.

Sample topics may include:

  • AI use cases in clinical care, public health, and system management
  • Data readiness and infrastructure for AI deployment
  • Bias mitigation, validation, and regulatory frameworks
  • Generative AI for health communication and service delivery
  • Equity considerations in AI implementation

Cybersecurity, Resilience, and Continuity

This track focuses on protecting digital health systems and ensuring their reliability in the face of disruptions, threats, and emergencies.

Sample topics may include:

  • Cybersecurity strategies and risk management approaches
  • System resilience, backup, and disaster recovery
  • Continuity of digital services in fragile and emergency settings
  • Incident response and recovery frameworks
  • Building institutional and national cybersecurity capacity

Workforce Capacity and Leadership for the Digital Future

This track highlights the human and institutional capabilities required to design, implement, and sustain digital health systems.

Sample topics may include:

  • Digital health workforce competencies and frameworks
  • Capacity building in data, AI, interoperability, and cybersecurity
  • Leadership and change management for digital transformation
  • Training, certification, and mentorship models
  • Strengthening local talent pipelines

Financing for Sustainability

This track explores how digital health initiatives can be sustainably financed, scaled, and maintained over time through stronger investment strategies and aligned funding approaches.

Sample topics may include:

  • Long-term financing models for digital health systems
  • Cost-effectiveness and value-for-money analysis
  • Procurement strategies and partner alignment
  • Transition planning from donor to domestic financing
  • Innovative financing mechanisms and investment cases

Climate and Health

This track examines the role of digital health in addressing climate-related health risks and strengthening system resilience, aligned with global climate and health priorities.

Sample topics may include:

  • Climate-informed surveillance and early warning systems
  • Climate-resilient health system design
  • Integration of environmental and health data
  • Digital tools for climate adaptation and response
  • Climate–health financing and accountability mechanisms

Track Selection Guidance

Applicants should select the track that best reflects the central contribution of their abstract, rather than all topics it may touch on. For example, an abstract that references both AI and equity should be submitted under the track that represents its primary focus—whether that is the application of AI or the design for inclusive use. Mentioning a topic does not necessarily determine track placement.