Global Health Technology and Innovation
Global Health Technology and Innovation in the Health Systems Program
Our work in technology and innovation emphasizes the development and implementation of new technologies for greater health care access and impact, as well as ensuring that appropriate policies are in place to govern such technologies.
Our faculty work to ensure equitable access to innovative health technologies, from effective antibiotics and medicines to real-time surveillance of chronic and infectious diseases. The Program uses digital technologies to strengthen surveillance of noncommunicable disease risk factors and COVID-19 in low- and middle-income country settings.
Examples of Latest Projects
Innovation+Design Enabling Access (IDEA) Initiative: The IDEA Initiative seeks to reengineer how innovation and design of technologies better meet the health of those in need. From antimicrobial resistance to COVID-19, the Initiative works to support an end-to-end approach and shape an enabling environment, innovative financing, and product development partnership responsive to these needs.
Data for Health Initiative: The Data4Health Initiative supports national implementation of mobile phone surveys to collect noncommunicable disease risk factor information through the research and development of survey methodologies, costing analyses, and exploration of key ethical, legal, and societal issues.
Latest News
5 Takeaways from the UN Environmental Programme Report on Antimicrobial Resistance
BSPH News | February 2023
The United Nations Environmental Programme recently released a report on the environmental dimensions of antimicrobial resistance called Bracing for Superbugs: Strengthening Environmental Action in the One Health Response to Antimicrobial Resistance. Anthony So, director of the IDEA (Innovation + Design Enabling Access) Initiative based in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is one of the five lead authors of the UNEP report.
Researchers Validate and Improve the Ability of Mobile Health Applications to Predict Mortality in the U.S. Population
BSPH News | June 2022
A new study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that an improved C-Score can identify 87% of individuals living in the United States who will experience premature mortality, or dying before the average life expectancy.
The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance at a Crossroads: Insights from the WHO’s Comprehensive Review
IDEA Initiative | January 2022
The IDEA Initiative at Johns Hopkins, along with the ReAct – Action on Antibiotic Resistance Strategic Policy Program, has released a policy briefing in advance of the World Health Organization's 150th Executive Board Meeting. The briefing highlights eight key topics that need to be considered carefully for tackling antimicrobial resistance.
Meet our global health technology and innovation faculty
Joseph Ali, JD, studies how to conduct global public health research and practice that maximally respects ethical values in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
Dustin Gibson, PhD ’14, MS, develops and evaluates digital tools and technologies to address health system gaps in low- and middle-income countries
Anthony D. So, MD, MPA, works on research and policy to improve innovation and access to health technologies with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance.
Andres Vecino, MD, PhD '16, MSc, uses economics theory and methods to improve health systems in lower and middle-income countries with a focus on Latin America.
Featured Publications and Reports
Assessing the governance of digital contact tracing in response to COVID-19: Results of a multi-national study
Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics | March 2023
Use of mHealth for management of hypertension in low- and middle-income countries: Opportunities and challenges
Connected Health | February 2023
Bracing for Superbugs: Strengthening environmental action in the One Health response to antimicrobial resistance
UN Environmental Programme | February 2023
Remote consent approaches for mobile phone surveys of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia and Uganda: A randomized study
PLOS One | December 2022