PAHO launches new virtual course on youth-centered digital health interventions

Washington, D.C., June 9, 2026 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) officially launched its new virtual course, "Youth-Centered Digital Health Interventions," during an interactive webinar led by members of PAHO's Youth for Health Group (PYHG). The event brought together young leaders, health professionals, policymakers, and digital health experts from across the Americas to explore how technology can improve, and often challenge, the health and wellbeing of young people.

The session was designed as an intergenerational dialogue with PYHG members Mercedes Garcia and Rehman Hassan moderating the event and engaging directly with PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa in a candid conversation about digital health, youth participation, and shared responsibility across governments, schools, families, technology companies, and communities.

"Young people don't just want to be protected from digital risks - they want to help build the solutions," said Rehman Hassan, member of PAHO's Youth for Health Group.

A conversation with PAHO's Director centered on youth voices

Dr. Barbosa highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies to improve health systems and expand young people's access to information, support, services, and specialized care, particularly in underserved and remote areas. He reaffirmed PAHO's commitment to supporting countries in advancing the responsible use of digital health technologies and artificial intelligence.

He also stressed that realizing these benefits requires addressing risks such as misinformation, cyberbullying, harmful online content, and privacy concerns through clear policies and coordinated action. Ensuring equitable access to digital tools, he noted, will depend on inclusive dialogue and the meaningful engagement of young people and other key stakeholders.

The dialogue that followed highlighted the value of meaningful youth participation in digital health policy and program design. Young leaders shared their experiences of what authentic engagement looks like in practice and how tokenistic inclusion can undermine trust and effectiveness.

Intergenerational panel explores opportunities and challenges

The webinar's second panel brought together experts from PAHO, civil society, government, and youth networks. Marcelo D'Agostino, Chief of PAHO's Information Systems and Digital Health Unit, outlined how youth-centered approaches fit within the broader regional digital health agenda. Adriana Gómez, Executive Director of TeenSmart International, described the development of award-winning digital tools created with young people as co-designers. Mackdiel Romero and Kai Archer, PYHG members from Mexico and The Bahamas, discussed the balance between protection from online harms and empowerment through digital solutions. Anthony Berrocal Cerdas, Digital Health and Interoperability Specialist, Ministry of Health of Costa Rica, reflected on the policy and governance conditions needed to expand safe and equitable digital health initiatives for youth.

Panelists repeatedly emphasized that effective digital health solutions must be designed with young people, not merely for them, and must address persistent inequities in connectivity, access, and digital literacy.

Launch of the new virtual course

The event concluded with the official launch of PAHO's virtual course "Youth-Centered Digital Health Interventions." Presented by Sonja Caffe, PAHO Senior Advisor for Adolescent Health, and Gabriel Listovsky, Chief of the Special Program Virtual Campus for Public Health, the course is designed to strengthen the capacity of health workers, program managers, policymakers, young leaders, and partner organizations.

The self-paced course is available through PAHO's Virtual Campus for Public Health and is offered in multiple languages. It consists of six modules covering key concepts, evidence-based approaches, and practical strategies for designing and implementing digital health interventions that respond to the needs and realities of young people.