Health Systems Strengthening Practice Spotlight: Digital Social and Behavior Change in Health Systems Strengthening

As outlined in USAID’s Vision for Health System Strengthening 2030, social and behavior change (SBC) is critical to strengthening health systems and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly target 3.8, universal health coverage. Integrating SBC into health system strengthening (HSS) initiatives can shape demand for health services, enable supportive behaviors among health providers who are essential to quality care, and spur a shared responsibility for health among patients, providers, and other health system actors. HSS practice can integrate SBC methodologies and approaches to address the social and behavioral drivers that affect health system performance and accelerate or impede positive health outcomes. 

This brief explores ways in which digital tools and systems can be used successfully and responsibly to advance SBC interventions in support of health system strengthening, and provides recommendations for future programming and areas of research.