Welcome to the 12th
International Conference 
on Public Health (ICPH)

The 12th International Conference on Public Health (ICPH) is set to return on October 23–24, 2025, in the vibrant city of Surakarta, Indonesia, hosted at The Alana Hotel. This year's conference carries the timely and transformative theme: “Digital Health for All: Bridging Barriers, Expanding Reach”.

As the world continues to embrace digital innovation in healthcare, persistent gaps in access and equity remain—particularly in underserved communities. ICPH 2025 brings together academicians, graduate students, public health professionals, policymakers, and digital health innovators to explore how technology can be harnessed to close these gaps, improve health outcomes, and build inclusive systems that leave no one behind.

Organized by the Master Program in Public Health, Graduate School, Universitas Sebelas Maret, the conference will feature insightful keynote speeches, cutting-edge research presentations, interactive panels, and real-world case studies from across the globe.

Join us in Surakarta for a dynamic exchange of ideas and solutions that will shape the future of digital health—for everyone, everywhere.  

1. Theme Introduction

“Digital Health for All: Bridging Barriers, Expanding Reach”

In an era defined by technological advancement and global interconnectedness, digital health has emerged as a powerful tool to transform public health systems and healthcare delivery worldwide. From mobile health applications and telemedicine platforms to electronic health records and artificial intelligence, digital technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way health services are accessed, delivered, and managed.

Yet, despite this progress, significant barriers persist. Millions of individuals—especially those in rural, remote, or marginalized communities—remain excluded from the benefits of digital health innovations due to structural challenges such as limited internet access, low digital literacy, poverty, language barriers, and lack of infrastructure. Without deliberate efforts to address these inequities, digital health risks reinforcing the very disparities it aims to solve.

The theme of the 12th International Conference on Public Health (ICPH)—"Digital Health for All: Bridging Barriers, Expanding Reach"—calls for a collective reimagining of how digital solutions can be developed and implemented equitably. It emphasizes the urgent need to ensure that digital health is not a privilege for the few but a right for all.

This year’s conference explores how digital health can be designed to be inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant, particularly for underserved populations. It will showcase innovations that have successfully improved access and outcomes, discuss policies that foster digital equity, and challenge researchers and practitioners to rethink how digital tools can be scaled responsibly across low-resource settings.

2. Conference Objective

By bringing together global thought leaders, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, ICPH 2025 aims to generate actionable strategies to overcome digital divides and build resilient, people-centered health systems. Together, we can unlock the full potential of digital health to reach those who have long been left behind—and create a future where no one is excluded from the promise of good health.

3. Topics and Speakers

Topic 1: "Expanding Access Through Simplicity: Digital Health Information for Low-Literate Villagers"
Speaker: Prof. Ashir Ahmed, Associate Professor, Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University, Japan

This presentation will highlight:

1. The principles of designing for simplicity and inclusivity in digital health tools
2. Case studies of successful low-literacy health information platforms
3. Strategies for community engagement, localization, and trust-building
4. Lessons learned from deploying technology in resource-constrained settings

Prof. Ahmed’s work demonstrates that technology need not be complex to be impactful—when designed with empathy and clarity, digital tools can empower even the most marginalized populations with the knowledge they need to lead healthier lives.

This session is especially relevant for digital health developers, public health practitioners, researchers, and policymakers committed to closing the health information gap in low-resource settings.

Topic 2: "Harnessing Mobile Health Innovations to Bridge Health Gaps in Underserved Communities in the Philippines"
Speaker: Joel Rey Ugsang Acob, RN., M.A., DNsg Sc., Visayas State University, Philippines

Key topics include:

1. The design and implementation of mobile health interventions tailored to local contexts
2. Barriers and enablers to the adoption of mHealth in underserved communities
3. Collaborations with community health workers and local stakeholders
4. Evidence of impact on health behavior, access, and outcomes

Dr. Acob’s presentation emphasizes the power of mobile technology as a scalable, cost-effective solution to address healthcare inequities. By focusing on accessibility, cultural relevance, and sustainability, mHealth can play a pivotal role in empowering communities and strengthening primary health care systems.

This session will be of particular interest to digital health innovators, public health professionals, and development partners working to promote health equity in low-resource environments.