Regarding health data, its availability and comparability, the COVID-19
pandemic revealed that the EU has no clear health data architecture.
The lack of harmonisation in these practices and the absence of an EUlevel centre for data analysis and use to support a better response to
public health crises is the focus of this study. Through extensive desk
review, interviews with key actors, and enquiry into experiences from
outside the EU/EEA area, this study highlights that the EU must have the
capacity to use data very effectively in order to make data-supporte d
public health policy proposals and inform political decisions.
The possible functions and characteristics of an EU health data centre
are outlined. The centre can only fulfil its mandate if it has the power
and competency to influence Member State public-health-relevant
data ecosystems and institutionally link with their national level actors.
The institutional structure, its possible activities and in particular its
usage of advanced technologies such as AI are examined in detail.
Policy options on how to set-up such an EU health data centre and a
common strategy for health data are put forward as ways to achieve a
public health datafication multi-level process in the EU, and create a
central coordination and support structure with advanced digital public
health functions, that bear the potential to significantly alter public
health in the EU, for smouldering public health crises such as cancer,
mental health and obesity, as well as cross-border large-scale threats.

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