The European Health Data Space (EHDS) represents a fundamental shift in the use of health data. Trust, interoperability, and clear rules are key to creating a new space for innovation and economic growth, including for Slovakia.
The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is not merely a legislative change, but a new sector with significant innovative and economic potential. The biggest obstacle today is not a lack of data—but mistrust, fragmented infrastructure, and slow access to data.
Secondary use of health data (research, public interest, cost optimization) is essential for scientific progress. Without high-quality data, it is impossible to advance medicine, develop new therapies, or effectively manage healthcare systems.
The main obstacles are clear: low patient trust in government systems, weak awareness of the value of health data, differences in national infrastructures, and uneven use of data across countries. While Finland and Denmark are European leaders in the quality and availability of health data, Slovakia is struggling with persistent issues related to eHealth, duplication, and limited access to information.
Change will come through the European Health Data Space (EHDS). It will enable strict, uniform rules, a high level of security, and a simple way for citizens to opt out of data use. Authorized entities will thus be able to view medical images, discharge summaries, or test results across the entire EU—in a translated language—with the patient’s consent.
For researchers and innovators, this means a fundamental change—higher-quality data, faster access, and fewer administrative barriers. For patients, it means better healthcare and new treatment methods.
However, health data is not just a technical topic but also a business opportunity. It is creating a new market: licensed access for research, opportunities for biotech startups, the development of AI solutions, and innovations in pharmaceuticals and insurance.
Slovakia can gain a significant competitive advantage—if it builds a trustworthy infrastructure, ensures interoperability, and establishes clear rules for secondary processing. With the right approach, it could be at the forefront of the emerging European data market in healthcare, which bridges the public interest, science, and business.
