European Health Data Space
A groundbreaking moment in the EU's journey towards a European Health Data Space (#EHDS): After 19 months of negotiations, member state ambassadors agreed on a mandate for a new regulation that paves the way for easier exchange and access to health data across the European Union.
The EHDS regulation aims to revolutionize the landscape of digital health by:
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Empowering Individuals: Individuals will now have faster and easier access to their electronic health data, regardless of their location within the EU. This not only facilitates better-informed decisions but also provides greater control over how their data is utilized.
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Fostering Research and Innovation: EHDS opens doors for researchers and policymakers, providing access to specific types of anonymized, secure health data. This will drive scientific research, the development of better treatments, and improvements in patient care.
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Promoting Interoperability: To address the current variations in digitalization across member states, the regulation mandates electronic health record (EHR) systems to comply with EU-wide specifications, ensuring seamless interoperability.
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Enhancing Governance: EHDS governance will involve member states in crucial decision-making through the proposed EHDS governing board. Steering groups managing MyHealth@EU and HealthData@EU will be established for effective collaboration.
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Respecting Privacy: Member states retain the discretion to allow patients to opt out of the new data-sharing system, respecting individual privacy concerns.
This is a pivotal moment in the digitization of health data in the EU. As negotiations with the European Parliament proceed, the EHDS regulation holds the promise of transforming healthcare delivery, research, and policy-making. The potential benefits for patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader research community position EHDS as a cornerstone in the realization of a connected and collaborative European Health Union. Stay tuned for more updates on this transformative journey!