Background
The Digital Health Society (DHS) movement was born during the Estonian EU Presidency in 2017, which focused on the development of a digital society in Europe, enabled by the free flow of data, as the fifth freedom right in the European Union.
Launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs of Estonia and the ECHAlliance as a call for action, the primary objective of the DHS has been to bring together all stakeholders of the digital health community around the table to drive the agenda of the EU Presidency.
As a legacy of the Estonian 2017 EU Presidency, DHS has established a living bridge with subsequent Presidencies. Digital Health policies are getting on top of the priorities of most of the EU Member States.
Context
Topics
European Health Data Space
The ambitious plan put forward by EC to build an EHDS has opened a lively debate on multiple and connected aspects, mainly around the most appropriate data governance frameworks, data sharing technologies, as well as the rise of novel models and institutions through the constitution of public data hubs, cooperative and trusts.
Data-driven health security
Covid-19 has highlighted the vital urgency of strengthening existing surveillance systems for infectious diseases, developing early warning systems based on the most innovative techniques and AI-based technologies.
Whole-of-sector and whole-of-government vision
The complexity of challenges humans have ahead (such as climate change, growing inequalities and public health treaths) advocates for a holistic vision. Greater collaboration and coordination across departmental and sectorial boundaries is crucial to eliminate duplication, optimize resources, create synergies among agencies, and deliver seamless services to the citizens and businesses.
Ref: Economy of Wellbeing (Finland Presidency), HealthInAllPolicies / OneHealth (WHO)
Digital and health literacy
Digital health rapidly develop across Europe and beyond and brings undoubted opportunities. However, there is also a danger that such process, if not accompanied by adequate investments in widespread and life-course digital and health literacy programmes, can exacerbate inequalities.
Innovation readiness of the health and care workforce
Every day, health professionals, researchers, and patients produce vast amounts of data through the use of, for example, EHRs, mHealth apps, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices. Data and technologies bring forward a wealth of opportunities that are making significant changes in the provision of healthcare services. However, in order to take advantage of these opportunities, the health workers must trust the solutions, be engaged in their design and equipped with innovation-oriented mindsets and digital skills.
Across Europe and worldwide key stakeholders, initiatives and projects are working to identify the necessary competences for a future-proof health workforce.
Key Objectives
Share
Harnessing the potential of data requires collective and continuous learning. Powerful insights may come from implementation stories and lessons learnt.
Through its events, workshops, seminars and publications, DHS contributes to knowledge sharing and good practices’ spread.
Reflect
Health data governance, sharing and use pose critical challenges that must be handled in open minded, cross-disciplinary and constructive debates.
Mobilize
How can we help the European institutions achieve the EHDS goal? How can industry be pivotal in accelerating the process? How can we build citizens’ trust?
Contact
TDHS ALLIANCE CLG
Registered Address:
THE BLACK CHURCH,
ST. MARY’S PLACE,
DUBLIN D07
