Shaping Europe’s digital future: European Health Data Space

The creation of a European Data Space is one of the priorities of the Commission 2019-2025, including the health sector. A common European Health Data Space will promote better exchange and access to different types of health data (electronic health records, genomics data, data from patient registries etc.), not only to support healthcare delivery (so-called primary use of data) but also for health research and health policy-making purposes (so-called secondary use of data).

The entire data system will be built on transparent foundations that fully protect citizens’ data and reinforce the portability of their health data, as stated in article 20 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Commission, in collaboration with the Member States, is engaged in the preparatory work and development of the European Health Data Space. Member States will be supported by a new “Joint Action for the European Health Data Space” set up to help the Members States and the Commission facilitate the sharing of health data for public health, treatment, research and innovation in Europe.

This presentation will clarify the practical outcomes of this strategy.