Citizens gain control of health data in groundbreaking EU deal
The European Commission announced an agreement on the creation of a European Health Data Space (EHDS), proposed in May 2022, aiming to empower citizens by giving them control over their health data and unlocking research potential. The EHDS will allow EU citizens immediate access to their digital health data across the EU, facilitating healthcare delivery, research, innovation, and policymaking while adhering to EU data protection standards. It includes a robust legal framework for the reuse of health data for research and public health purposes, with strong data protection and security safeguards. The European Parliament and the Council will formally adopt the new regulation, which will be implemented in stages.