Applied informatics and health equity: challenges and strategies in the Global South

Introduction: This study analyzed how applied informatics can contribute to promoting health equity in the Global South. It recognized that health digitization represents an opportunity to expand access, but also a risk of reproducing structural inequalities if not implemented with principles of justice and participation. Methods: A narrative scoping review was conducted following the guidelines of Arksey and O’Malley, Levac, and the PRISMA-ScR framework. 26 documents published between 2020 and 2025 in international databases were included, supplemented by grey literature. The thematic analysis identified four main areas: digital divides, equity principles, regional strategies, and ethical challenges. Results: The findings showed that digital divides in health are rooted in persistent structural factors. Seven key principles for equitable informatics were identified, along with multiple successful strategies in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, based on participation, data sovereignty, and technological sustainability. Conclusions: It was concluded that applied informatics can strengthen health equity when guided by principles of social justice, inclusive governance, and South-South cooperation. Digital equity should be considered a social determinant of health.