Keywords: Digital Health Integration, Maternal and Child Care, Psychosocial Screening, Health Equity
Purpose: Austria is transforming its Parent-Child-Pass into a digital system to improve care for pregnant women and children up to age five. The new platform aims to enhance accessibility, continuity, and coordina-tion across health services, while also addressing broader social and mental health needs.
Context: Development has involved healthcare professionals and families to ensure the system meets practi-cal needs. Reviews of existing practices highlighted gaps in support for emotional and social well-being during pregnancy and early childhood. As a result, the system is being designed to align with existing healthcare
structures while remaining flexible, secure, and user-friendly. Early versions are being piloted with families and providers, whose feedback is shaping ongoing improvements.
State of the art: Initial results show better documentation, coordination, and usability. Integrated assessments for mental health, domestic issues, and social challenges support earlier detection of risk factors. Decision-support tools will guide providers with up-to-date recommendations, helping improve care quality and early intervention.
Statements for debate: Digital health tools can reduce equity gaps but risk excluding underserved populations without digital access. Digitalization improves clinical workflows but may add administrative burdens for healthcare professionals.
Psychosocial screenings should be routine in maternal and childcare, requiring adequate follow-up resources.