Having described the European digital health landscape, it is important to know its main stakeholders. This is a brief review of global organisations organisations that operate in the area of digital health in Europe and of those European organisations with profile in digital health.
Global Organisations
WHO Europe
Within the United Nations system, WHO is responsible for public health. One of WHO’s six regional offices throughout the world is the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). In total, 53 countries are part of the WHO European Region, spanning an expanse of land from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. The WHO/Europe office in Copenhagen, Denmark, seven technical centers, and 30 country offices are home to experts in public health, science, and technology. WHO Europe is especially active in the area of digital health, key current projects being the European health information gateway and the European Health Information Initiative (EHII).
European Connected Health Alliance (ECHAlliance)
ECHAlliance operates the Global Connector for Digital Health to facilitate multi-stakeholder connections around ecosystems, drive sustainable change and disrupt delivery of health and social care. Operates in 78 countries, including most European countries, the community of over 16,500 experts (government, health & social care providers, leading companies and startups, researchers, insurances, patients’ groups and citizens, and the investment community)
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
Founded in 1961, HIMSS is the oldest global digital health organization that supports the transformation of the health ecosystem through information and technology through key insights, education and events to healthcare providers, governments and market suppliers, ensuring they have the right information at the point of decision. With HQ in the USA, HIMSS also has its local chapter in Europe. The network includes more than 80,000 experts, 480 provider organizations, 470 non-profit partners and 650 health services organizations. Runs HIMSS Conferences, and media channels: Healthcare IT News, MobiHealth News, and HIMSS TV
Digital Therapeutics Alliance (DTA)
Founded in 2017, the US based Digital Therapeutics Alliance is a non-profit trade association of industry leaders and stakeholders engaged in the evidence-driven advancement of digital therapeutics. DTA exists to broaden the understanding, adoption, and integration of clinically-evaluated digital therapeutics into healthcare through education, advocacy, and research.
European
Digital Health Europe consortium (DHEC)
17 partners from 10 European countries provide support to the Digital Health and Care Innovation initiative in the context of the Digital Single Market Strategy. As outlined in the European Commission’s Communication on the topic, the project’s approach involves a number of actions designed to promote innovation and advance the Digital Single Market priorities for digital transformation of health and care (DTHC).
These include:
1. To ensure access to health data can be accessed and shared securely across borders by citizens
2. To improve research, disease prevention, personalized health, and health care
3. To employ digital tools for empowerment of citizens and person-centered care
Towards European Health Data Space (TEHDAS)
Supports EU member states and the EU Commission in building a European health data space. Develops principles for the cross-border secondary use (policy, groups analysis, research) of health data. The data space will comprise of the framework for data use, underpinned by EU legislation. The project is being carried out by 25 European countries, it is divided into eight work packages: coordination; sharing; dissemination; quality; evaluation; connecting; outreach & engagement & sustainability; citizens
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Health)
EIT Health is a network of best-in-class health innovators backed by the EU. Established in 2015 as a ‘knowledge and innovation community’ (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the organization that comprises various KICs who each focus on a different sector, or area, of innovation around health and aging. EIT Health works across borders with approximately 150 partner organizations, bringing together the brightest minds in healthcare to answer some of the biggest health challenges facing Europe
International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISFTeH)
Founded in 1993, ISfTeH is an umbrella organization for national telemedicine and eHealth organizations, established to assist startup of new national organizations, to enhance networking, partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders. The ISfTeH is recognized as an NGO in Official Relations with WHO (World Health Organization)
European Health Telematics Association (EHTEL)
EHTEL is a pan-European multidisciplinary stakeholder organisation that brings together corporate, institutional, and individual actors dedicated to the improvement of healthcare delivery through digital health. EHTEL’s membership includes more than 50 organisations from all relevant stakeholder groups. EHTEL supports European e-health initiatives and policies. It’s focus is on the regulatory framework and strategic development of digitalization.
Frontiers Health
Frontiers Health is a spin-off event of Frontiers Conferences, it produces international conferences about technology and innovation since 2005. Conceived as a global platform, Frontiers Health catalyzes a unique mix of delegates from life science companies, health innovation hubs, insurance companies, investment funds and start-ups to discuss how innovations in their respective fields are converging to transform healthcare. Frontiers Health conferences are a meeting place for startups, investors and industry leaders.
European mHealth Innovation and Knowledge Hub (mHealth Hub)
The European mHealth Innovation and Knowledge Hub collects and shares national experiences on mHealth and renders support to countries and regions in setting up large-scale mHealth programmes. The mHealth Hub has a dual focus: 1) knowledge management & innovation; 2) practical implementations (supporting EU member states to launch large-scale mHealth interventions). The Hub brings together institutional partners. It is a joint initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health.