News from the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC)

Health data sharing

In early April, the European Academies' Science Advisory Council (EASAC) launched a report on International Sharing of Personal Health Data for Research. The report is the outcome of a joint project between EASAC, the Federation of European Academies of Medicine (FEAM) and the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA). Personal health data provide a vital resource for research to save and improve lives, reduce health inequalities and benefit society. Sharing of data is an essential part of public sector medical research for improved health care and disease prevention, for example to ensure sufficiently large sample sizes, identify complex pathways, and compare the determinants and outcomes of disease in different settings.

However, recent events such as the UK's withdrawal from the EU and the development of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are increasingly challenging this exchange. In their report the European networks of the science academies therefore call on EU political decision-makers and legislators to reduce the obstacles to the exchange of health data with researchers outside the EU European Economic Area, including those from the public sector.

Webinar

The report will be discussed in an open webinar on 3 June, 2:00-3:30 pm CET. To join the webinar, please register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dDGWZoBBRBaBU0GcH_EHog

Decarbonisation of the Health Sector

Another joint project of EASAC and FEAM was the publication of a commentary on Decarbonisation of the Health Sector on April 20. The commentary is dedicated to the health sector as an area that has so far rarely been included in the discussions about decarbonisation, although it accounts for around 5 percent of global CO2 Emissions. In their statement, EASAC and FEAM emphasize that although there are already some decarbonisation initiatives within the sector, coordinated legislation at EU level is required in order to implement strategies to mitigate climate change and adapt to climate change as a whole. Recognising the relevance of health issues for multiple policy areas, EU activities should be more ambitious and also include wider international action.

Webinar

The commentary will be discussed in an open webinar on 10 May, 2:00-3:30 pm CET. To join the webinar, please register at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l_1HyzHwTlK5Hu0QDMA7MQ