Economic Evaluation of Digital Therapeutics in Public Health: A Systematic Review of Cost-Effectiveness and Implementation Barriers

Abstract

DTx, in public health, provide the potential for new, scalable evidence-based interventions that may prevent or manage a given medical condition. This makes software a medical device; it provides engagement for patients while staying committed to their treatments and answers access and cost concerns. This summarizes evidence of the economic value in DTx across different domains of public health such as chronic disease, cardiovascular, or mental health services as having significant savings on cost while achieving better clinical outcomes and the gaining of life years, quantified using QALYs where such interventions compare with traditional treatments. Despite the promise that DTx holds, it has been held back by numerous barriers from being generally accepted. Such barriers include a digital divide and complexity of the regulatory environment, absence of reimbursement frameworks, and cultural resistance by healthcare providers. The challenge would require good regulatory policies, standardized evaluation frameworks, and access to technology with fairness. In addition, long-term economic evaluations and real-world evidence will be important for the comprehensive understanding of DTx on the health system and society. This review enacts the transformative potential of DTx for public health strategies while pushing for structured integration into healthcare. As the momentum builds for digital therapeutics, policymakers and other stakeholders must better align their efforts to overcome these implementation barriers in a manner equitable and effective adoption of the same.