EU plans to improve health data access

The European Commission plans to improve access to health data for patients, medical professionals, regulators and researchers to reduce unnecessary medical tests and prescriptions, Reuters reports. Under the proposal, data from patients’ health records and wellness applications would be combined and made accessible through free online databases under strict privacy rules. Patients cannot always access their health data electronically and hospitals often do not share data in its entirety with other facilities, the Commission said. Editor’s note: Covington Senior Counsel and IAPP Senior Westin Research Fellow Jetty Tielemans reported on the European Health Data Space Regulation draft proposal.