The Relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Health Indicator in selected West Asian countries

Abstract

Background: Health is a fundamental and inseparable aspect of human life, and various factors can influence health outcomes. Among these factors, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays an important role in improving the provision of health services by increasing productivity and reducing medical and healthcare costs. However, improper or excessive use of such technologies may also generate harmful effects, including physical problems associated with exposure to mobile phone waves. Therefore, ICT may theoretically exert both positive and negative effects on health indicators. Given this dual effect, the present study aims to examine the relationship between ICT, economic freedom, and the health index in selected West Asian countries over the period 2004–2024.

Methods: This research employs the Generalized Least Squares (GLS) approach to examine the relationship between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the health index, measured by the under-five mortality rate. In the model, economic freedom, GDP growth, urbanization rate, and government public health expenditures are included as control variables. Data for selected West Asian countries over the period 2004–2024 were obtained from the World Bank database, Heritage Foundation and World Health Organization (WHO) website and estimated and analyzed using EViews software. In particular, the study focuses on the interaction effect between ICT and economic freedom in order to assess the net effect of ICT on health outcomes.

Results: The findings showed that ICT has a positive and significant relationship with the health index in the countries studied. Furthermore, the net effect between ICT and average economic freedom and the health index is positive and statistically significant, indicating that ICT development policies in the selected West Asian countries are aligned with economic freedom frameworks to maximize health benefits.

Conclusion: While ICT significantly improves the health index, the implementation of economic freedom policies enhances the health index. Therefore, policymakers, in order to optimize the relationship between technological advancements and public health—particularly the reduction of under-five mortality—should provide for the development of information and communication technology infrastructure within the context of a free economy.