Better Data for Better Health

Date: 18 and 19 May 2023 Time: 18 May, 9:00-18:00 CET; 19 May, 9:00-16:00 CET

Please join us via Zoom 

simultaneous translation to French and Spanish will be available

The world is off track to meet the 2030 health-related SDGs. There are significant data gaps and capacities for tracking progress towards SDG targets and supporting communities left behind. Fragmented approaches to collecting, storing, sharing, analysing and using data for health outcomes is hindering progress. Building on the 2021 Health Data Governance Summit and summit statement, Health Data Collaborative (HDC) partners will co-host an event on 18 and 19 May 2023 to promote health data as a global good by (a) identifying and promoting good country data governance practices; and (b) promoting investment in Health Information Systems (HIS) guided by the SCORE for Health Data Technical Package. It will consider SCORE as an overall approach to investment, especially in Least Developed Countries over the next two years. The necessary advocacy steps will be sought to promote good data governance practices and investment in HIS. Urgent attention is needed to promote data as a global public good and sufficient investment in country HIS.

Meeting objectives and outcomes

• Review data governance principles, policies and good practices from countries and partner organizations; and
• Discuss and propose an investment strategy for strengthening country HIS.

The expected outcomes of this meeting will include documentation of data governance practices and gaps for health data and opportunities to leverage good practices, and better alignment with partners on proposing a strategic investment case for strengthening country HIS.

Format and audience

This is a 2-day hybrid (in-person and virtual) event, joined by approximately 40 country representatives and stakeholders represented in HDC. There will be an opportunity for partners to discuss investing in HIS and better aligning with country priorities organized by a partners’ roundtable. Mixed facilitated panel sessions and materials will be available beforehand which identify good country health data governance practices and present a case for increased investment in HIS for more timely, accurate, and complete data to track UHC and health-related SDG outcomes. A “partner round table” on the afternoon of 19 May will give partners an opportunity to reflect on investing in HIS and improving alignment with country priorities. Participation online (via Zoom) is encouraged for those who want to follow these discussions.

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