2012: EC/WHO global agreement on eHealth and health information at the global level

Key elements of the agreements

  • Develop global eHealth approaches to support developing countries in their national e health plans
  • Collaborate on development of approaches for measuring the impact and economic value of eHealth/telemedicine implementation
  • Support global approaches for interoperability and integration of eHealth systems.

Update on the progress made with the implementation of the agreements so far

Following to the SOM, we met in different occasions in order to further specify lines of actions:

  • Introduce an horizontal track related to standardization and interoperability
  • Focus on Africa, and in particular on cooperation related to the implementation of the Africa-EU 8th Partnership and its eHealth priorities
  • Introduce a topic related to eHealth and ageing possibly

In this context we designated WHO and DG INFSO focal points, to agree on priorities and detailed actions towards setting up a roadmap.

So far, following actions have taken place:

  • DG INFSO organized a workshop on "eHealth & Equity in the Global Health Communities " in Brussels on 15 December 2011.  This WS was a successful event bringing together DG DEVCO, SANCO and INFSO, WHO and other international organizations working on Global eHealth matters.
  • In summer 2011 a new field of cooperation started in the area of mHealth and tobacco control, addressing, in particular, smoking cessation, but also illicit trade, prevention, smoke-free environments etc.  WHO Tobacco Free Initiative was invited to participate in the Consultation Workshop of the MovingLife Project on 18 January 2012.  
  • We are co-organizing a side event at the next WHA focusing on eHealth supporting active and healthy ageing. We will be able to share the rational and expected outcome very soon.
  • Area on eHealth and ageing is addressing under the point "Innovation and Health"
  • DG INFSO provided comments on the eHealth Toolkit, and could contribute to establishing WHO expert database.

Major challenges

  • Strengthening collaboration and working together for a successful deployment of eHealth services evidence based.
  • Avoiding duplication
  • Fixing priorities around the world

Future steps

In addition to the continuation of collaborations listed above (global issues regarding eHealth, interoperability of electronic medical records, focus on Africa), the following activities are being planned for 2012:

  • mHealth and tobacco control: we are currently organizing a meeting in Brussels on 27 March to discuss the future cooperation opportunities in more details. The proposed agenda items include aspects of policy development related to tobacco cessation, mHealth and potential EC funding opportunities for research and/or piloting.
  • Side event on WHA: 22nd May: 4. The objective is to highlight the potential of ICT to contribute to active and healthy ageing. Proposed agenda: WHO will open the meeting and chair the session. EC will present their initiative, 2 MOH will present their work in this area (possible countries: Austria, UK/Scotland, Denmark, Korea, Japan), followed by discussion.
  • eHealth and ageing in the context of EIP