Cross-border health data sharing - are we ready for it?
How ready are Northern Norway, Northern Sweden and Northern Finland for the introduction of the EU's health data sharing policy, the upcoming European Health Data Space (EHDS) regulation?
These are just two of the issues that researchers at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research will investigate in the Nordic Health Data Space project. The project will assess the readiness of the Aurora region to embrace the European Health Data Space (EHDS).
The aim is to analyse the European and national policies on EHDS, and conduct interviews with the actors in e-health, innovation and research in the region to uncover their strategies for adapting to EHDS. The project will also provide examples of how health data can be shared and utilised to promote innovation and create jobs in the region.
- The report "The European turnaround" from the Norwegian Directorate of Health states that if the EU adopts the proposed legislation and it is formally decided to incorporate EHDS into the EEA Agreement, Norway is obliged to implement the regulation. This will affect the strategic direction of the national e-health area," says project manager at the Norwegian Centre for E-health Research Kassaye Yitbarek Yigzaw.
The purpose of the project is to strengthen collaboration both locally and regionally in terms of sharing health data across borders, increasing the capacity to utilise such data, and minimising the barriers to sharing and reusing information. All of this is aimed at achieving a more efficient health service.
The project is funded by the EU programme Interreg Aurora. This is a cooperation programme between Norway, Sweden and Finland that focuses on strengthening cooperation and development in the northernmost regions of these countries. Through the Interreg Aurora programme, we have the opportunity to work together across borders to develop and implement joint projects and initiatives that benefit the region as a whole. This helps to strengthen co-operation and build partnerships that can help to solve common challenges and promote sustainable development in the northern regions of Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Nordic Health Data Space is led by the University of Oulu, and together with NSE will collaborate with Umeå University and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).