About Us
Digital Determinants of Health describe the ways in which digital environments—including platforms, algorithmic systems, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, data practices and governance – influence health, wellbeing and health inequalities across the life course. Digital determinants do not operate in isolation but interact with wider social, commercial and political determinants of health.
Our Mission
To advance understanding of how digital environments shape health, wellbeing and health inequalities through rigorous causal research, evaluation and interdisciplinary collaboration, generating evidence that informs policy, practice and healthier digital environments.
Our Vision
A future in which digital environments are designed, governed and evaluated using robust evidence, enabling healthier, safer and more equitable digital futures for everyone.
Our Values
The Hub’s work is guided by a small set of core commitments:
Methodological rigour and clarity.
Independence and transparency.
Meaningful youth involvement and co-production.
Equity, inclusion and public benefit.
A collaborative research culture that values care, integrity and critical thinking.
Responsible communication and use of evidence.
Why a Hub?
Digital environments have become important determinants of health, yet research, policy and practice often remain fragmented. Evidence is frequently limited to associations, while the complex interactions between digital, social, commercial and political systems are less well understood. Evaluating digital policies, understanding online harms and measuring digital environments require new conceptual frameworks, robust methods and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Digital Determinants of Health Hub was established to address these challenges by bringing together epidemiology, public health, systems thinking, evaluation science, digital data science and artificial intelligence to understand how digital environments shape health across the life course. Our work spans methodological innovation, conceptual development, empirical research and evidence translation, generating, synthesising and translating evidence that informs research, policy, practice and public understanding.
How We Work
The Hub focuses on three interconnected priorities.
Understanding how digital exposure shapes health and wellbeing
Evaluating the real-world effects of digital governance and regulation
Advancing ethical, participatory research with young people
Responsible Evidence and Communication
The Hub is committed to producing and communicating evidence accurately, proportionately and ethically. We are explicit about uncertainty and limitations, avoid sensationalism, and distinguish clearly between evidence and interpretation.
Scientific independence, transparency around funding and conflicts of interest, and strong governance are central to how the Hub operates.