How can Equitable and Inclusive Governance systems "Enable" a Digital Health Citizenship culture among youth?

BackgroundDigital technologies have massive potential benefits for the health and well-being of humans. The pace at which these technologies are evolving and spreading are not only creating new opportunities but also new risks for humanity. [1] As digital transformations extend to health systems around the globe, the concept of digital health citizenship emerges to examine the engagement of people with their digital health ecosystem and the impacts of these transformations on their health and well-being. [2] Digital health citizens must be able to meaningfully and effectively engage with their digital health ecosystem to fully realize their right to health. Young people were born into and are growing up in an increasingly digitalized world. As digital natives, they experienced first-hand the impact of digitalization on their health, as they have greater access to health information and digital health services, allowing them to take a proactive role in their well-being. This increased access also comes with increased exposure to harms and human rights risks posed by digital technologies such as hate and abuse, privacy concerns, and misinformation.[3] To responsibly navigate the intricacies of digital technologies in health and reap the positive impacts of the digitalization of health systems, youth need a combination of health, digital, and civic literacy skills.[2] Yet, literacy skills alone are not sufficient. A robust governance system is another essential enabling factor to exercise meaningful digital health citizenship as it helps build trust, address inequalities, and create safe and secure spaces. [2]