Telemedicine: A Sustainable Solution for Health Equity and Urban Resilience

As cities worldwide strive to achieve sustainability, reduce emissions, and ensure equitable access to services, one sector stands at the intersection of innovation, inclusion, and resilience: healthcare. In this context, telemedicine is no longer a futuristic concept — it is a proven, scalable solution that is already transforming healthcare delivery across urban and rural landscapes.

? The Rise of Telemedicine in a Changing World

Telemedicine refers to the remote diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients using digital communication technologies. Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of telemedicine has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare systems — and its benefits extend well beyond emergency response.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 70% of countries globally expanded telemedicine services during the pandemic, with many integrating these solutions into their permanent health infrastructure.

? Real-world impact:

• In the United States, Kaiser Permanente reported that more than 50% of all patient interactions in 2021 were virtual.

• In Finland, the Kanta system enabled over 90% of citizens to access prescriptions and medical records online, reducing administrative costs by 30% and improving continuity of care.

• In rural India, teleconsultations organized by Apollo Hospitals reduced specialist travel needs by 80%, drastically lowering carbon footprints and improving access.

?️ Telemedicine and Urban Sustainability

Urban environments, especially in the Global South, are facing simultaneous pressures from population growth, climate change, infrastructure deficits, and social inequities. By integrating telemedicine into city services, local governments can address multiple sustainability goals:

1. Reducing Emissions through Virtual Care

Telemedicine can significantly reduce travel-related emissions. A study by the University of California found that virtual consultations resulted in less than 5% of the CO₂ emissions compared to in-person visits.

2. Enhancing Health Access in Underserved Areas

By eliminating geographic barriers, telemedicine allows patients in peripheral neighborhoods or informal settlements to access specialists and mental health care without lengthy travel or high costs.

3. Improving Urban Resilience

Cities equipped with robust telehealth systems can maintain continuity of care during climate disasters, pandemics, and infrastructure failures. During extreme heat events in Paris, for instance, remote care programs for elderly citizens helped reduce emergency hospitalizations by 25%.

4. Data-Driven Urban Health Planning

Telemedicine platforms generate anonymized health data that can inform city planning, disease monitoring, and targeted policy interventions.

? Leading Global Telemedicine Providers

Several organizations around the world are paving the way in making telemedicine a global health solution. Among them:

• Teladoc Health (USA) – Offers virtual primary care and mental health services across 130 countries.

• Doctolib (France) – Europe's leading telehealth and appointment platform, serving millions of patients monthly.

• Babylon Health (UK) – Uses AI-powered chatbots for triage and medical guidance.

• Kry (Sweden) – Nordic leader in telehealth with strong partnerships with public healthcare systems.

• Apollo TeleHealth (India) – Delivers millions of virtual consultations in remote and underserved regions.

• Medilux (Finland) – A rising medical startup committed to secure, ID-based patient authentication and cross-border telemedicine services across the European Union.

Medilux exemplifies how regional innovation contributes to EU-wide health equity. By leveraging strong authentication via national digital ID systems and GDPR-compliant platforms, Medilux allows medical clinics in Finland to serve patients across Europe, ensuring both legal compliance and patient safety.

Many telemedicine providers today are purposefully tailoring their services to meet the needs of specific patient groups, including those with particular cultural or religious requirements. For instance, the Finnish clinic Medilux delivers healthcare designed to respect the expectations of Muslim patients — from offering female medical staff to ensuring discretion and patient privacy. More broadly, Finland is becoming a fertile ground for strong, immigrant-led brands that serve diverse communities. Alongside Medilux, examples like Garaza, a modest fashion label catering to Muslim women, demonstrate how the country supports migrant entrepreneurship and successfully integrates it into the national social and economic fabric.

? Aligning Telemedicine with ICLEI Pathways

Telemedicine aligns closely with ICLEI’s five pathways for sustainable urban development:

? The Way Forward

For local governments, investing in telemedicine is not only a healthcare improvement — it is a strategic sustainability decision. Supporting telemedicine infrastructure, encouraging public-private partnerships, and ensuring digital inclusion policies can catalyze broader urban transformation.

ICLEI members have the opportunity to lead this change — by integrating telemedicine into their climate strategies, health access programs, and digital transformation plans, cities can ensure that no one is left behind in the journey toward equitable, resilient, and sustainable urban futures.

Let’s bring healthcare to every corner of the city — no waiting room required.