The European Health Data Space Board: challenges, opportunities, and expectations

Susana Navas Navarro

Chapter 12 in Research Handbook on Digital Regulatory Agencies, 2026, pp 191-211 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The governance of the European Health Data Space is based on the development of technological platforms and the establishment of national contact points. The forthcoming regulation introduces the European Health Data Space Board, delineating its functions and interconnections with key entities such as national market surveillance authorities, the European Artificial Intelligence Board, European data protection bodies, and the Data Innovation Committee. Furthermore, the European Data Strategy aims to establish unified data spaces; noteworthy among its efforts is the creation of the European Health Data Space Board, despite the fact that the board does not act as an independent regulator. This chapter begins with an overview of this specific data space and the nature of electronic health data. The focus then shifts to the governance structure of the European Health Data Space, emphasizing its role in facilitating cross-border health data exchange among European Union Member States, as well as its accessibility to third countries and international entities. A critical distinction is drawn between the primary and secondary uses of electronic health data, ensuring that access is governed within a secure processing environment. It points out redundancies in data replication, stemming from the distinction between primary and secondary uses. A proposal is put forward advocating for a unified structure accommodating both types of use, with different secure processing environments for data access. The concluding section highlights, among other inferences, the potential complexities in data accessibility within this significant European data space.

Keywords: Electronic Health Data; Primary and Secondary Use; European Health Data Space; Data Protection; Digital Health Authorities; Data Governance; European Health Data Space Board (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035330881
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035330898.00020 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:elg:eechap:23237_12

Ordering information: This item can be ordered from
http://www.e-elgar.com

Access Statistics for this chapter

More chapters in Chapters from Edward Elgar Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Jack Sweeney ().