Where and how does Digital Health help?

The European Commission wants to find out whether and how digital technologies can improve the health of people. She has now launched a public consultation on "Digital Health". Pharmacists can also contribute their ideas by 12 October.
Demographic change and the growing life expectancy, the increase in chronic diseases and the resurgence of infectious diseases are all major challenges for healthcare in Europe. The EU Commission notes that, notwithstanding this, public expenditure on health care and long-term care has risen in all EU countries in recent decades. And they will continue to rise in the future.

The Commission is hoping for digital technologies: they could provide cost-effective tools to facilitate the transition from a model of hospital-based health care to a patient-oriented, integrated model. They could also provide better access to health care and contribute to the sustainability and resilience of health systems. However, such measures must be consistent with the rules on data protection, patient rights and electronic identification.

What measures could be taken to promote digital innovation? To find this out, the Commission launched a "public consultation on change in healthcare and care in the digital single market" last week. It interviews various stakeholders - such as members and organizations of health and social professions, but also citizens - on the subject of digitalisation in the health sector.