We are advancing understanding of how digital tools can improve the health of communities around the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the need for new approaches to addressing today’s complex health challenges. It also underscored the immense potential of leveraging digital platforms to promote public health.

That’s why we formed the Advancing Health Online Initiative (AHO) — a fiscally sponsored project of Global Impact that explores how social media and online engagement can improve health and strengthen health systems around the world. We are accelerating innovative research, investing in capacity building, and inspiring cross-sector collaboration.

Boosting vaccination, at $1 per shot

Studies show the power of social media to promote public health. In 2021, researchers funded by AHO’s Vaccine Confidence Fund launched a digital campaign to assess whether political messages could boost COVID vaccination rates. They ran YouTube ads featuring a political leader in more than 1,000 U.S. counties that lagged in COVID vaccine uptake. The $100,000 campaign resulted in 104,036 new vaccinations.

Our Programs

We have launched five flagship programs to date, with more to follow. These initiatives will accelerate our collective ability to make a lasting positive impact on health behavior. MSD and other funders have committed $20 million to fund programs aligned to AHO’s mission.

Evaluation of Generative AI for Health

In 2025, AHO and The Agency Fund joined forces to advance evaluation of Generative AI-powered tools for health in low- and middle-income countries using a four-level evaluation framework.

Learn About the Evaluation Framework

VaxSocial

In 2024, AHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched VaxSocial, an initiative supporting country-driven projects that leverage social media to build confidence around routine immunizations.

Visit the VaxSocial Website

The Vaccine Confidence Fund

In 2021, and again in 2022, we issued a request for proposals (RFP) for research into increasing vaccination confidence and uptake through social media. The 44 selected organizations are covering topics that touch all regions of the world, with a focus on historically excluded or marginalized communities.

Visit the VCF Website Read BMJ Publications

World Bank Research

Between 2021-2024, AHO supported the World Bank’s Mind, Behavior and Development Unit (eMBeD) within Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) to grow our knowledge of effective social and behavior change communication interventions using social media.

Visit the eMBeD website

Insights Dialogue

In 2021, AHO supported the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Bay Area Global Health Alliance to launch a platform for dissemination learnings within the global health and development community. Insights Dialogue includes webinars, research, games, a podcast and more.

Visit the Insights Dialogue Website

Recent Publication Spotlight

Generative AI for Health in Low- & Middle-Income Countries

February 2025

In partnership with Stanford Center for Digital Health and the Stanford Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences, AHO commissioned a report to understand how Generative AI (GenAI) is being harnessed in health care contexts in LMICs. This report provides practical recommendations for funders, implementers, and policymakers working to harness GenAI to strengthen health systems and advance health access.

Read the Report Here

Collaborators

Contact Us

Help advance understanding how digital tools can improve health and strengthen health systems around the world. If you’re interested in getting involved, we would love to hear from you.

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