Vitalis hosts summit on Nordic health data
4 February / 2025
With the VALO project, the Nordic countries aim to lead the way in using health data for research and innovation. During the Vitalis conference in Gothenburg, government departments and agencies will come together to discuss how health data can be utilized across borders.
The goal is to make collaboration in research and innovation across Nordic borders easier. Through the VALO project, the Nordic countries—along with Estonia and Lithuania as observers—are exploring how to facilitate the secondary use of health data.
“There is no doubt that we are at the forefront in this field, but we also face significant challenges,” says Michel Silvestri, Unit Manager and Senior Advisor at the Swedish eHealth Agency.
Background: The EHDS regulation and the role of VALO
VALO, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, is based on the new EU regulation EHDS—the European Health Data Space—which is expected to take effect soon. EHDS aims to give EU citizens greater control over their health data within healthcare (primary use) while also enabling secure access to health data for research, development, and innovation (secondary use).
“The hope is to generate new knowledge by utilizing the vast amounts of health data available,” Silvestri explains.
VALO: Advancing research and innovation
VALO, which stands for “Value from Nordic Health Data,” will run from 2024 until October 31, 2026. The new EU regulation will simplify access to health data, and the project is examining the best ways to leverage this across national borders.
“We want to help and support each other in preparing for EHDS. VALO is divided into three different workstreams, with each country taking responsibility for different aspects,” Silvestri elaborates.
A Nordic collaboration model
Workstream 1, led by Iceland, focuses on creating a shared Nordic model for using health data in research.
“We are exploring how the Nordic region can continue to be a role model in the use of health data.”
Sweden, through the Swedish eHealth Agency, is responsible for Workstream 2, which involves organizing and managing the Nordic Competence Forum for EHDS2. This forum serves as a platform for Nordic countries to exchange experiences and prepare for the new EU regulation.
“We held our first meeting in Helsinki in September, and the next one will take place in Copenhagen in February.”
Competence forum at Vitalis
During the Vitalis conference in Gothenburg, government representatives from the Nordic and Baltic countries will continue their discussions.
“We hope to build on the very successful start in Helsinki.”
The day after the competence forum, Sitra, the Finnish innovation fund coordinating the VALO project, will host the first open forum for interested participants.
Standards for data sharing
Workstream 3, led by Finland and Sitra, focuses on distributed analysis of health data. Each country will analyze its data locally and then compile the results into a collective Nordic dataset.
“I often compare it to railways. For trains to cross borders, we need the same track gauge. The same applies to health data—we need common technical, semantic, legal, and organizational standards for everything to work efficiently.”
Silvestri looks forward to continuing this work and attending the conference in Gothenburg. He welcomes the implementation of the EHDS regulation.
“It’s an ambitious initiative. At the same time, it will take a long time to implement and require both time and resources. But it is the only way to truly maximize the potential of health data.”
Goals of the VALO project
1. Strengthen collaboration among Nordic countries and establish a shared model for health data management.
2. Prepare the Nordic region for the new EU regulation EHDS and facilitate its implementation.
3. Promote research and innovation by making health data more securely accessible.
4. Maintain the Nordic countries’ position as pioneers in the use of health data.
5. Develop practical solutions for cross-border data sharing, focusing on technology, legal aspects, and organizational structures.
Vitalis is the largest eHealth event in Scandinavia, yearly attracting attendees with the shared aim of building their knowledge and improving tomorrow’s health care.