The Digital Health Society
The Data Arm of ECHAlliance. The DHS is a legacy of the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and is a platform to bring diverse stakeholders around health data.
Focus areas
The DHS Summit
In 2019 DHS launched the first DHS Summit in Helsinki in December again linked to the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The theme was “Connecting Digital Health & Data Initiatives in Europe” and its specific purpose was to foster greater collaboration across NGOs in Europe. During the pandemic the Summit become virtual and attracted attendees from around the world. In 2023 we held the 5th Summit which attracted almost 1,200 attendees from 95 Countries with a clear focus on data and digital.
Round Tables
The Round Table programme started in 2020 with two invite-only events. The first in September focused on trust in health data, and the second on trustworthy digital health standards. Each had 25-30 expert attendees. Summaries and “Calls to Action” were produced, aiming to influence the European Health Data Space plans and setting the format for future Round Tables.
We would like to acknowledge the support of Johnson&Johnson, Microsoft and MSD who enabled the Round Table programme.
AI Club
During one of our Round Tables a working group discussing technology asked for a separate meeting to discuss AI. This meeting was chaired by Professor Rachel Dunscombe, a DHS Director, at which we had industry, regulators, academics, healthcare professionals and policy representatives. The outcome was to create in 2023 an AI Club to share challenges and discuss solutions in a collaborative forum. At the conclusion of 2023 the AI Club decided to publish a report with a series of recommendations “Creating the Environment of trust and acceptance that maximises the benefits of AI in health”
The AI is continuing its work in 2024.
Topics
Data-Driven Information From Health & All Other Sectors
Health And Digital Literacy & Societal Trust
Artificial Intelligence in Health & Societal Impact
Data Driven Health Information & European Health Data Space
4 pillars
As the data arm of ECHAlliance, DHS aligns with its four pillars.
Connect
Use the power of our global network of all stakeholders to make the connections you need.
Convene
Use our ability as an honest broker to assemble, meet and discuss key subjects and activities.
Amplify
Harness the capacity of our global network to communicate and amplify your message.
Accelerate
Engage across our network to speed up your understanding, your adoption, and scale your activities.
About us
The Digital Health Society (DHS) was established in 2017 during the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, advised by ECHAlliance. Initially, it focused on four Task Forces: Interoperability, Data Donation, Legal Framework, and Digital Workforce Transformation. DHS continues collaborating with EU Presidencies on digital health.
Now, DHS is the Data and Digital arm of ECHAlliance, focusing on thought leadership, an annual Summit, a digital health Round Table programme, and an AI Club with members from tech, health, pharma, medtech, academia, regulators, and policymakers.
