Remarks

• This recommendation has been integrated from the 2019 WHO guideline Recommendations on digital interventions for health system strengthening (284), where it was considered a context-specific recommendation.
• Digital targeted client communication refers to the transmission of customized health information for different audience segments (often based on health status or demographic categories). Targeted client communication may include:
• transmission of health-event alerts to a specified population group;
• transmission of health information based on health status or demographics;
• alerts and reminders to clients; and/or
• transmission of diagnostic results (or of the availability of results).
• The Guideline Development Group (GDG) responsible for the original recommendation considered this intervention to offer the potential to improve health behaviours and reduce inequities among individuals with access to mobile devices. However, it highlighted that measures should be taken to address inequities in access to mobile devices so that further inequity is not perpetuated in accessing health information and services, including mechanisms to ensure individuals who do not have access to mobile devices can still receive appropriate services.
• The GDG responsible for the original recommendation also raised the need to address potential concerns about sensitive content and data privacy, including potential negative unintended consequences. This could be done, for example, through mechanisms that actively allow individuals to opt out of services.