Cross-border Sharing of Health Data is Advocated by Nordic Nations for Enhanced Patient Care
Jumpstarting the Nordic Health Revolution: A Peek into the VALO Forum
The Nordic health scene buzzed on May 20, 2025, as the Valley from Nordic Health Data (VALO) forum unfolded in Gothenburg, Sweden, with online attendance options. The event focused on Nordic collaboration to realize the European health data space (EHDS) regulation and the progress of the VALO project. Stakeholders from across the Nordic region and Europe joined the discussion, ranging from health specialists in the public and private sectors to IQVIA Finland's healthcare director, Susanna Flaherty, and University of Oslo professor, Åslaug Helland.
The EHDS aims to bolster the secondary use of health data, fostering strong research, innovation, and policymaking across Europe. Funded by The Nordic Council of Ministers, VALO is an initiative that champions Nordic cooperation and health data utilization in research, development, and innovation.
Putting Data Sharing to the Test: VALO Pilot Study
At the forum, the initial findings of a VALO pilot study led by Helland and Flaherty were presented. The study, employing the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) data model, comparatively analyzed oncology data from three hospitals in Denmark, Finland, and Norway. OMOP is a standardized method for organizing patient data, facilitating research efforts and innovation. The study revealed potential improvements, including the need for a streamlined data collection process from various data holders and a robust data governance model to support seamless studies. Publication of the study results is scheduled for autumn 2025.
The study outcome highlights the feasibility of Nordic data sharing, paving the way for innovative research and improved patient care.
Finding the Perfect Harmony: EHDS Collaboration
Project manager Rebekka Björg Guðmundsdóttir from the Directorate of Health Iceland shared a proposed Nordic cooperation model for the secondary use of health data in line with the EHDS and the sustainability goals of the Nordic Council of Ministers' vision 2030. Leveraging the quality of existing social and health data registers and secure data usage, the Nordic collaboration can drive innovation and improve health outcomes across the region.
The forum discussions underscored the need to focus research on real-time data instead of retrospective studies, harmonize practices, and level the playing field, both within and between countries. Additional themes highlighted the value of existing Nordic networks for cross-country research projects and the potential of artificial intelligence to leverage large datasets.
Navigating the EHDS Maze: Towards a Unified Nordic Approach
A day before the forum, VALO participants convened for informal discussions on national preparations for EHDS implementation. These competence forums aim to raise joint knowledge on EHDS with the goal of Nordic harmonization of the regulation. The gathering also included representatives from Estonia and Lithuania, recent additions to the VALO project.
Dreaming Big, Acting Even Bigger: The Nordic Health Agenda
In 2019, Nordic prime ministers declared their vision for the Nordic region to become the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The VALO project continues this vision by fostering Nordic collaboration in sustainable health and care, leveraging the strengths of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, with Estonia and Lithuania in observer roles. The project runs until October 2026, with the next stakeholder forum set for October 30, 2025.
And there you have it! The Nordic health community's collective quest for a unified data space, propelled by innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for a better future. Stay tuned for updates from the frontlines!
- The study led by Professor Åslaug Helland and Susanna Flaherty, as part of the VALO project, employed the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) data model to comparatively analyze oncology data from hospitals in different Nordic countries, demonstrating the potential for data sharing and boosting research and innovation in health and wellness.
- Embracing the European health data space (EHDS) regulation, VALO, an initiative championing Nordic cooperation and health data utilization in research, development, and innovation, is working towards a unified approach to health data, backed by artificial intelligence and leveraging the quality of existing data registers, with the goal of driving innovation and improving health outcomes across the region.
- Recognizing the importance of real-time data and harmonizing practices, the VALO project, a key player in the Nordic Health Agenda, is facilitating collaboration among Nordic countries and beyond to foster sustainable health and care, capitalizing on the technological advancements in data and cloud computing towards a more integrated and healthier future.
