Rifat Atun, M.D., MBA Closed Now

Dr. Rifat Atun is a leading global health systems scholar and policy innovator, currently serving as Professor of Global Health Systems at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. His work bridges health data systems, digital health, and large-scale health system reform, with a special focus on how data and technology can accelerate universal health coverage and improve population health outcomes.

Prior to joining Harvard, Dr. Atun held prominent roles at Imperial College London, where he directed the Center for Health Management and advised governments and international organizations on health reform. He has also served as Director of Strategy, Performance and Evaluation at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, overseeing data-driven strategies for resource allocation and program monitoring across more than 140 countries.

Dr. Atun’s research emphasizes the role of digital health platforms, data interoperability, and health information systems in scaling up innovations. He has led and advised numerous initiatives on integrating big data analytics, mobile health, and artificial intelligence into healthcare delivery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

His academic contributions include more than 400 publications in leading journals such as The Lancet, Health Policy and Planning, and BMJ Global Health. Notably, he co-led The Lancet Commission on the Future of Health Systems in the Digital Age, which underscored how data and digital platforms are reshaping global health.

Dr. Atun is highly regarded for his policy influence, having advised organizations including the World Bank, WHO, and G20 governments. His perspective blends academic rigor with hands-on experience in designing data-driven health systems that are efficient, equitable, and sustainable.