Health information systems are key to well-functioning health systems.
That’s why WHO has just launched a new database designed to support policy-makers, experts and the public in countries across the WHO European Region to better understand and improve their health information systems and data governance. The database brings together nearly 70 indicators to provide a clear, accessible overview of how countries collect, manage and use health data.
Co-funded by the European Union, the new database, called Health Information Systems Governance (HISGOV), offers important insights by highlighting progress and current challenges. It aims to help identify where additional investment or attention may be needed.
The critical role of health information systems
Health information systems are complex, multilevel systems that produce health intelligence to inform decision-making through data collection, analysis, reporting, knowledge management and governance.
For health information systems to be impactful and cost-effective, they need consistent and high-quality data from many different sources, including clinical data, surveys, disease registries, interviews and examination surveys, preventive programmes and even data from outside the sector, such as police data on violence and injuries, environmental data and social data.
The HISGOV database is structured into key areas that reflect the building blocks of strong health information systems. These include national digital strategies, data governance and legal frameworks, electronic records, data use and interoperability.
The database also examines barriers to implementing electronic health records systems and adopting advanced analytics and big data. Each section includes a colour-coded summary table, making it easier to compare progress across countries. Individual indicators are also presented as maps to help users quickly visualize patterns and differences across the Region.
“These kinds of tools are central to WHO’s mandate to support Member States with reliable data and guidance for decision-making. Thanks to comparability and transparency, countries can identify gaps more easily, track progress and strengthen evidence-based policies to improve health outcomes,” explained Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, Director of Health Systems at WHO/Europe.
The database draws on three main sources: the 2022 WHO/Europe digital health survey, a 2024–2025 survey on AI and individual health information system assessment reports.
Supporting better decisions through better data
“What we often hear in conversations with countries is that there is no shortage of data, but there is limited clarity on what it means for action,” said Dr David Novillo Ortiz, Regional Adviser for Data, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health at WHO/Europe. “We hope that, with comparable indicators across Europe, this database promotes shared learning and helps countries identify good practices and better understand where they stand. Another way it may be used is for spotting gaps and supporting targeted policy responses. For example, a national digital health strategy may exist on paper, but key components, such as standards for data exchange, may not be implemented yet.”
The HISGOV database was developed as part of a wider effort to strengthen health information systems and data governance in the Region. This work is supported by the European Union (EU) and contributes to improving how countries use data for decision-making in health.