New opportunities for health research as European Health Data Space enters into force
The new Regulation on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) has been published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force on 26 March. The regulation is an important part of the EU’s efforts to build a secure and efficient digital health ecosystem as part of the European data strategy, both in terms of allowing patient access to health records across national borders within the EU (primary use), and strengthening the re-use of health data in anonymised or pseudonymised form for research, innovation, public health and policymaking (secondary use). The new regulation will become applicable in different phases, with a major milestone on 26 March 2029 when the first data exchanges under primary use will go live. At the same time, the rules on secondary use will begin to apply to most data categories.
The European Health Data Space will be critical notably to facilitate the transition towards more digitalised health care systems. ERRIN's Health Working Group has been following the negotiations on this important piece of legislation and is continuing its focus on digital health with a Working Group meeting dedicated to 'Digital transformation of health care to meet evolving needs in an ageing society' in early autumn this year. Stay tuned for more information on the agenda and exact timing.
Two Health and ICT joint Working Group meetings were also organised specifically on the European Health Data Space in 2021 and 2022:
Health & ICT WG meeting on the European Health Data Space: how to unlock its potential?
Health & ICT: State of play of the European Health Data Space & opportunities for regions