A Narrative Review of Health Observatory: Framework, Challenges, and Future Prospects in National and Global Systems

Background: In an era marked by global health crises and data-driven policymaking, timely and accurate health data are indispensable for assessing population health and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Health observatories serve as integrated platforms for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating health data, thereby enhancing evidence-informed decision-making and strengthening health systems. Methods: This structured narrative review was chosen to accommodate the complexity and multidimensionality of health observatory systems. The PRISMA-ScR framework guided the review process, ensuring methodological rigor, transparency, and reproducibility. Results: Findings were synthesized using an input–process–output–outcome framework across four dimensions: governance, technical, financial, and cultural–human. This model facilitated a comprehensive analysis of the structures, capacities, and challenges of health observatories, drawing on examples from national and global initiatives. Conclusion: To ensure sustainability and effectiveness, countries must invest in robust governance, advanced data infrastructure, skilled human resources, and a culture of data-driven decision-making. Strengthening these pillars will accelerate progress toward UHC and SDGs, and foster resilient health systems worldwide.

کلیدواژه ها:

Health Observatory ، Health Surveillance ، National Health Observatory (NHO) ، Global Health Observatory