A European Health Data Space: harnessing the power of health data for people, patients and innovation

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 3 May 2022, providing the reasoning behind the introduction of a European Health Data Space (EHDS).

Further information:

A vast amount of health data is currently generated every second, providing healthcare services and researchers with potential valuable insights. However, the complexity and divergence of rules, structures and processes within and across Member States of the European Union (EU) makes it difficult to easily access and share health data. This is seen as creating barriers to healthcare delivery and innovation, leaving patients unable to benefit from its potential. Moreover, health systems are becoming the target of cyberattacks. Cybersecurity must be considered as a key factor for ensuring the resilience and availability of key healthcare services.

Harnessing the power of health data through the digital transformation is particularly relevant when patients move within or to other EU countries; and when researchers, innovators, policy-makers or regulators need critical data that can enable the power of science to help patients. Similarly, sharing health data in border regions where individuals access healthcare services across the border much more frequently can become an easier task.

This Communication was published on 3 May 2022 to support the adoption of a legislative initiative setting up a European Health Data Space (EHDS), which aims at unleashing the potential of health data in the EU.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 03/05/2022: European Health Union: A European Health Data Space for people and science https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_2711

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