Introduction Digital technologies enable better health care coordination, patient monitoring, and access to specialist support, strengthening the management of noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular and mental health conditions. How are digital health tools being used to manage common mental health conditions and cardiovascular diseases in primary health care across Asian Development Bank member countries? This review screened 767 studies and included 306 that met the criteria. As the studies differed widely in their methods, settings, and outcomes, a narrative review approach was used rather than a statistical meta-analysis. Each intervention was assessed using 11 indicators based on World Health Organization’s categorization, covering patient, provider, and health system perspectives, including acceptability, access, user engagement, cost, effectiveness, ethical issues, functionality, health outcomes, quality, user coverage, and adoption. Digital Solutions in Primary Health Care for Noncommunicable Diseases Since the 2010s, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, digital technologies in primary health care (PHC) have expanded, now offering practical ways to improve access, coordination, and ongoing support for patients. Tools such as telemedicine, wearables, electronic health records, clinical decision-support systems, and mobile self-care applications help providers screen patients, follow treatment guidelines, share tasks with non-specialist workers, and keep patients engaged between visits. In low- and middle-income countries, widespread mobile phone use gives these tools a ready pathway to reach underserved communities at scale. For example, in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), hospitals use a smartphone platform that connects wearable heart monitors, decision support, and follow-up care for patients with atrial fibrillation. In Australia, myCompass delivers web-based therapy for people managing diabetes alongside depression. When well integrated into care systems, these technologies make PHC more connected, efficient, and responsive, particularly for people living with chronic physical and mental health conditions. Patterns and Gaps in Digital Technologies for Primary Health Care While digital health innovations at the primary health care levels for noncommunicable diseases— including cardiovascular and mental health issues—show rapid expansion, challenges remain. Source: Produced by Anne Cortez. Asian Development Bank.Click on image to enlarge Most digital tools are built for targeted messaging and collecting routine patient data, rather than supporting integrated care.Person-level functions, such as targeted messages and reminders dominate digital tools (about 85%). Meanwhile, provider-side tools used by healthcare professionals and organizations often take the form of person-centered records (about 62%). Many programs are standalone, focused on workflow or monitoring rather than connecting patient data, clinical decision support, and system planning. That limits their ability to improve long-term care coordination and scale across health systems. Artificial intelligence is emerging but under-used in primary care today.There were few AI implementations in primary health care at the time of the review, though recent advances, for example large language models, could power decision support, personalized care, and automation. User-centered design and co-production are largely missing.Sparse reporting on consumer engagement and participatory design suggests that many tools were developed without meaningful input from patients or frontline providers. Without co-design and cultural adaptation, digital solutions risk poor usability, low adoption, and failure to meet local needs. Why This Matters The review found that most digital tools are used for targeted messaging and routine data collection, artificial intelligence is rarely applied in primary care, and user-centered design and co-production are largely missing. These gaps matter because primary health care must provide continuous, coordinated care for chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases and mental health issues. When digital tools are introduced as isolated pilots, with limited interoperability and weak links to health information systems, they cannot fully support coordinated, continuous care. Fragmented solutions limit data sharing, weaken referral pathways, and reduce the ability of health leaders to plan services effectively. Implications Review findings highlight the importance of primary health care in effectively managing noncommunicable diseases and why countries need digital solutions that are integrated, easy to use, and ready to work within existing health systems. These solutions must support both physical and mental health needs, and be adaptable to different local contexts. To turn promising digital health pilots into large-scale, fair impact, countries in Asia and the Pacific have to address gaps on how these tools are designed, tested, and rolled out. This means moving away from isolated, technology-driven projects and toward coordinated, people-centered strategies that strengthen the whole health system. Key implications and actions include Balancing focus across health domains: As adoption of digital technologies for mental health lags behind cardiovascular diseases, future efforts can strengthen provider engagement and embed digital mental health tools within primary care to avoid fragmented service delivery. Addressing regional disparities in digital health research: With Australia, the PRC, and India leading the evidence base, policymakers can increase investment and capacity building in underrepresented countries to reduce the regional development gap and enable local adaptation. Leveraging digital health to reduce healthcare inequities: Invest in equitable digital infrastructure and deploy mobile health and telemedicine to reach remote populations; use digital platforms for specialist remote supervision and task sharing; and integrate electronic decision support systems to standardize quality across settings. Ensuring local contextualization of digital health interventions: Tailor design and implementation to legal, institutional, and workforce realities. Country-specific approaches are essential, as shown by the role of community health workers in some systems. Embedding contextual and cultural adaptation and end-user co-design: Pair translation with deep cultural adaptation and structured co-design with providers, patients, and communities to improve trust, usability, and sustained adoption. Adapting to rapid technological evolution. Build modular, interoperable frameworks, robust data governance, and ethical oversight so health systems can responsibly incorporate AI and advanced analytics, while advancing equitable, people-centered primary health care. Note: This regional technical assistance project supports countries in Asia and the Pacific to strengthen integrated primary health care management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Working with ADB developing member countries, the project focuses on improving NCD detection, prevention, detection, and management at the primary care level, especially in underserved and vulnerable communities. It builds knowledge and capacity among policymakers and health providers, promotes best practices and people-centered care models, and supports the uptake of cost-effective and innovative technologies, such as telemedicine, digital diagnostics, and decision-support tools. By strengthening governance, service delivery, and the use of digital solutions, the project aims to reduce NCD-related illness, deaths, and out-of-pocket health costs, while advancing universal health coverage and progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3. Resources Asian Development Bank (ADB). 2025. Bridging Gaps for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health: Leveraging Technology for Impact. Conference Proceedings. ADB. 2024. Integrated Primary Care Technologies for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health in Asia and the Pacific. ADB Briefs. No. 301. World Health Organization. 2016. Monitoring and Evaluating Digital Health Interventions. Ask the Experts Chi Kin Law Associate Professor of Health Economics, University of Sydney Dr. Chi Kin Law is an international expert in disease burden, health economic modeling, and health technology assessment. His work advances cost-effectiveness, quality-of-life assessment, and economic evaluation for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other high-risk chronic and complex conditions. Jiaying Zhao Honorary Senior Lecturer, Australian National University At the forefront of the field since 2017, Dr. Jiaying Zhao has explored the integration of artificial intelligence in primary care to bridge health inequities. She provides technical expertise to international programs, ensuring digital health innovations serve vulnerable populations and enhance systemic equity across Asia and the Pacific. Jin Han Assistant Professor of Global Public Health, New York University Shanghai Dr. Jin Han is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of New South Wales. She is internationally recognized for her innovative contributions to digital mental health practices and research in Asia and the Pacific. Anne Cortez Communications and Knowledge Management Consultant, Asian Development Bank Anne Cortez has over a decade of experience advancing health equity and sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific. She previously held roles at the UN’s global health think tank and the Philippine government. She holds a master’s degree in development studies from Ehwa Womans University as a Korea International Cooperation Agency Fellow and an Executive Education certificate on public policy and artificial intelligence from the National University of Singapore. Follow Anne Cortez on Vasoontara S. Yiengprugsawan Senior Universal Health Coverage Specialist (Service Delivery), Human and Social Development Office, Sectors Department 3, Asian Development Bank Dr. Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan oversees ADB’s technical assistance on management of noncommunicable diseases and regional health cooperation in Greater Mekong Subregion. She has held senior health research positions in Australia, a WHO Fellowship with the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, and worked in policy and research with a UN Migration Agency in Geneva. She holds a PhD in Epidemiology from Australian National University. Follow Vasoontara S. 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