On November 5, 2019, the European Commission published a report entitled “Strengthening Strategic Value Chains for a future-ready EU Industry”, which was prepared by the Strategic Forum on Important Projects of Common European Interest (“Forum”). The Forum assists the European Commission in identifying key strategic value chains that can contribute to Europe’s industrial competitiveness and its green and digital transformation objectives.  To that end, the Forum proposes a common vision for joint actions and investments between the EU, its Member States, and industry.

The report identifies smart health as one of the key strategic value chains. Other key strategic value chains include the industrial Internet of Things and cybersecurity.

The Forum defines “smart health” as “the development of smart (usually digitally aided) solutions to improve the way healthcare solutions are delivered”, and highlights the importance of health data and health analytics to improve healthcare in the EU.  However, according to the report, a number of challenges at the EU-level appear to hamper the development of smart health solutions. These challenges include “the high costs associated with the installation of systems using advanced technologies, as well as concerns over data security, and a lack of integration and information sharing”. The Forum concludes in its report that there is a need for public intervention to overcome these challenges. In particular, the Forum refers to the need to (i) increase public funding in this area; (ii) regulate and harmonize—at the EU-level—access to and use of health data, and (iii) create trust by citizens through data governance and consent management models.

In light of the above, the Forum’s report provides the following six recommendations:

  1. create a federated European health data space with appropriate privacy protections;
  2. support the development of smart health products and services;
  3. adapt regulations and standards with the aim of “advancing standardization and interoperability of healthcare data”;
  4. promote skills for the development, uptake and effective use of smart health products and services;
  5. stimulate the demand-side and the uptake of smart health products and services; and
  6. create a pan-European operational network (a “European Smart Health Innovation Hub”) to assess and promote smart health initiatives.

The report sets out specific actions for each of these recommendations.

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Photo of Kristof Van Quathem Kristof Van Quathem

Kristof Van Quathem advises clients on information technology matters and policy, with a focus on data protection, cybercrime and various EU data-related initiatives, such as the Data Act, the AI Act and EHDS.

Kristof has been specializing in this area for over twenty…

Kristof Van Quathem advises clients on information technology matters and policy, with a focus on data protection, cybercrime and various EU data-related initiatives, such as the Data Act, the AI Act and EHDS.

Kristof has been specializing in this area for over twenty years and developed particular experience in the life science and information technology sectors. He counsels clients on government affairs strategies concerning EU lawmaking and their compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks, and has represented clients in non-contentious and contentious matters before data protection authorities, national courts and the Court of the Justice of the EU.

Kristof is admitted to practice in Belgium.

Photo of Anna Sophia Oberschelp de Meneses Anna Sophia Oberschelp de Meneses

I assist companies in navigating EU laws on technology, with a focus on data protection, cybersecurity, and consumer protection. My goal is to make complex regulations, such as the GDPR, AI Act, Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, and Digital Services Act, more accessible and…

I assist companies in navigating EU laws on technology, with a focus on data protection, cybersecurity, and consumer protection. My goal is to make complex regulations, such as the GDPR, AI Act, Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, and Digital Services Act, more accessible and relevant to everyday business operations.

Regarding data protection and privacy, I guide businesses on GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, and EU marketing laws, covering topics like international data transfers and privacy-focused marketing. Regarding cybersecurity, I help with risk assessments, incident response planning, and staying informed about regulations such as NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act. Regarding consumer protection, I assist companies in ensuring their terms are enforceable, their online platforms clearly provide required information, and their practices comply with rules against banned commercial activities.

Fluent in several languages and experienced in international contexts, I am committed to integrating compliance smoothly into business operations, enabling companies to succeed in the dynamic digital environment.