Ethical implications of conversational agents in global public health

摘要

The supply of mental health workersin low-income countries is estimatedto be as low as 2 per 100 000 population,compared with more than 70 per100 000 in high-income nations. Thisshortage in health-care providers resultsin major gaps in services, contributingto unmet health-care needs and greaterdisease burden in underserved regions.1Furthermore, in times of humanitariancrisis, such as natural disasters, infectiousdisease outbreaks or war, the necessityfor health-related services arisesrapidly and unexpectedly, potentiallyleaving many thousands of people inneed of assistance.