Learning Health Systems · Published 2025-12-15 · DOI 10.1002/lrh2.70058
ABSTRACT Introduction A learning health system requires infrastructure to support its learning community. The World Health Organization's OpenWHO.org, launched in 2017, aimed to provide such infrastructure through a learning platform to equip emergency responders, health workers, and other stakeholders with critical knowledge and skills to manage health crises effectively. The free, open‐access, self‐paced learning platform addressed a wide range of public health topics. This experience report summarizes OpenWHO's impact over its 7 years as a cornerstone platform for just‐in‐time online learning in health emergencies. Methods A descriptive review of practice‐led literature at WHO was used to report on the lessons learned to prepare for the next pandemic. The research focused on the design, development, and delivery of online courses via the platform. Our analysis comprises insights gathered from 32 studies. Results Over 7 years, OpenWHO reached 9.2 million enrolments globally, delivering over 315 public health courses across 75 languages with use cases in all countries and territories. The platform has been instrumental in enhancing global health capacity, disseminating knowledge, and improving preparedness for health crises, including major outbreaks such as COVID‐19. Key lessons learned include providing learning content in just‐in‐time modalities, addressing digital divides, and adapting content for diverse cultural and linguistic contexts with an endeavor to ensure equity, inclusivity, and scalability in global health learning. Conclusion OpenWHO has significantly contributed to empowering the global health workforce, driving low‐bandwidth innovation in online education, and ensuring equitable access to critical knowledge during emergencies. Beyond documenting OpenWHO's outcomes, this experience report provides a transferable framework that can guide future Massive Open Online Courses initiatives in delivering equitable, just‐in‐time learning during public health emergencies.
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