This exciting Research Topic is an initiative linked to the
Digital Health Africa 2024 Workshop which was held on 23 - 24 February 2024.
The healthcare landscape in Africa is undergoing a transformative shift through Digital Health Innovations, predominantly driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Telemedicine, and advanced computing. These technologies are playing a pivotal role in addressing complex healthcare challenges exacerbated by underfunding and resource limitations. South Africa's digital health initiatives and Kenya's early AI deployments exemplify the significant impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Telemedicine, gaining prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, has emerged as a key component in this digital revolution, offering alternative healthcare solutions despite its evolving efficacy. However, the successful implementation of these technologies is contingent upon addressing critical issues such as data protection, privacy, and regulatory frameworks. Furthermore, digital health interventions have contributed to lowering healthcare costs and enhancing clinical research, addressing broader challenges like lower life expectancy and high maternal mortality. This digital transformation, while promising, requires strategic frameworks to ensure effective resource utilization and sustainable impact on African healthcare.
This Research Topic is dedicated to exploring the current situation and future prospects of digital health in Africa, with a particular emphasis on the application and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and personalized medicine. We aim to examine how these innovative technologies are reshaping healthcare across the Continent, for example related to drug safety, efficacy, and delivery. Specific areas of focus include, but are not limited to:
- The use of AI in the context of healthcare.
- The use of AI for drug discovery, development, and pharmacovigilance in Africa.
- The role of telemedicine in individual patient care, teaching and training as well as research, including drug distribution and patient adherence, especially in remote and resource-limited settings.
- Personalized medicine approaches for tailoring drug treatments based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
- Synergies between digital health technologies and traditional healthcare practices.
The scope of this Research Topic is broad to allow submissions related to the topics mentioned above, and encourages submissions that are relevant to drugs and related healthcare interventions, ensuring that the manuscripts contribute meaningfully to the journal, and both involved sections. We welcome both original research and review articles.