WHO Report: Highlights need for better data to improve health

WHO SCORE Global Report highlights urgent need for better data to strengthen pandemic response and improve health outcomes. /VCG

Currently, 4 in 10 of the world's deaths are unregistered and in the African region, only 1in 10deathsis currently recorded, according to the first ever global assessment of country health information systems released on Monday by the WorldHealthOrganization in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Two-thirdsof low-income countries have established a standardized system to report causes of deaths. However, the SCORE Report highlights the urgentneedtostrengthenthese systems to help the world respond to health emergencies and track progress towards global health goals.

The pandemic has highlighted that even the most advanced healthand datasystems still struggle to provide data in near real-time in order to act swiftly.

The lack of data globally limitstheunderstanding ofthe true mortality impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, undermining response planning.

"The pandemic has stretched the capacity of country health information systems around the world, as they must track both the disease and other critical health trends," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. "The SCORE report is an important step towards better data, for better decisions and better health."

Estimates show that60 percent ofthecountriesreviewedhave a well-developed system forreviewingprogress and performanceoftheir health sector and onlyhalfhave thecapacitytomonitorquality of care.Only 32 percent of the countries have good capacity for a national digital health strategy based on recommended standards.

"With SCORE at hand, WHO will support countries around the world to address data gaps and strengthen their data and health information systems," said Dr Samira Asma, Assistant Director-General, for Data, Analytics and Delivery.

Although, there is goodavailability of data on areas such as immunization,tuberculosis and HIVincidence,thereisless coverage on healthissues such asmental health and cancer.

Less than halfof countries report national facility data onsevere mental health disorders. This lack of data severely limits countries in their ability to plan and implement effective health programmes.

"TheSCOREreportguides countries to invest in priority areas with the greatestimpacton the collection,analysis anduse of health data.Among other recommendations the report urges countries to strengthen their overall health data systems, to improve their death data registration systems and to collect more and better quality data to addressinequalities," said Michael Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries.

Thereport and the portal arepart ofWHO'sSCOREfor Health DataTechnical Package that will support countries and regions to view their assessments,conduct analyses, and improve health data for healthier populations.

(With input from World Health Organization)