Technology in the Context of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and the Legal Limitations of the International Health Regulations Open Access

Abstract

The International Health Regulations were last updated in 2005. There have since been seven (7) declared Public Health Emergencies of International Concern all of which have exposed various failures and a dire need to strengthen health systems. As technology continues to rapidly innovate and evolve, it has become a critical part of health system strengthening. Despite this growth in the presence of various forms of technology, the International Health Regulations have barely acknowledged the role technology plays in preventing, detecting, and responding to public health threats. It is, therefore, necessary to review the International Health Regulations, understand the various forms of technology active in the public health sector, determine the gap in overall technology guidelines, and accept the limitations of such regulations. These factors will then be used to propose recommendations for how technology should be prioritized in the International Health Regulations and what conversations are imperative as the World Health Assembly continues amendment conversations.

Table of Contents

I. Introduction | 1

A. Context | 1

B. Statement of the Problem | 1

C. Statement of Purpose | 2

II. Background | 2

A. World Health Organization and World Health Assembly | 2

B. International Health Regulations | 2

C. Public Health Emergencies of International Concern | 5

III. The Problem | 7

A. Understanding Technology in the Context of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern | 7

1. Health Informatics | 7

2. Surveillance and Intelligence | 8

3. Information Sharing and Data Security | 9

B. Technology in the International Health Regulations | 10

C. The Gap | 11

IV. Discussion | 12

A. Limitations | 12

1. Nation-State Sovereignty and Collaboration | 12

2. IHR Systemic Limitations | 14

3. Global Digital Divide and Technology Gaps | 15

B. Considering Colonialism and Inequity | 16

V. Policy and Strategy Recommendations for the IHR | 18

A. Enhancing Global Health Governance and Collaboration for Technology Access | 18

B. Establishing Ethical Guidelines for Technology Usage in Pandemic Response | 19

C. Addressing Technology for Migrant Populations Impacted by PHEICs | 20

D. Prioritizing the Role of Technology in Capacity-Building | 21

E. Acknowledging Technology’s Impact on Health Behavior | 22

VI. Conclusion | 23

VII. References | 25

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Health Sciences, Public Health Political Science, International Law and Relations
Keyword	Technology Global Health Law Public Health Emergencies of International Concern International Health Regulations
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Dr. Scott McNabb, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Technology in the Context of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and the Legal Limitations of the International Health Regulations ()	2023-04-19 11:00:16 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions