New Commission regulation to allow access to health data

A secure European Health Data Space aims to improve healthcare and opportunities for research.

The European Commission has published a proposal for a regulation on the European Health Data Space. This should allow access to secondary health data to the research and innovation sector, which should in turn ensure improvements in healthcare.

The proposal aims to create a space in which individuals can easily control their electronic health data. The main priority within the regulation is privacy and anonymisation of data.

The introduction of a common data space promises to save € 5 billion over ten years through easier data transfer, and subsequently another € 5 billion through simplified use in research, innovation and policy making.

The regulation promises users immediate and free access to their health data and their sharing with health professionals at home or abroad. The proposed platform will also let users to allow or restrict access to the anonymised data.

Lastly, a common data space would allow for a better response to emergencies such as Covid-19.

The full proposal for the European Health Data Space can be found on the European Commission's website.

The factsheet is available here.