The OECD.AI Policy Navigator

Spain is advancing the creation of a National Health Data Lake as part of its broader strategy to establish a National Health Data Space. This initiative aims to centralize anonymized health data from various sources into a virtual repository, facilitating enhanced research, innovation, and evidence-based policymaking.

Key Features:

• Anonymized Data Collection: The repository will aggregate de-identified health data from multiple health databases, ensuring privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Integration of Regional Databases: By connecting regional health databases, the data lake will provide a comprehensive view of health trends and outcomes across the country.
• Support for Research and Innovation: The centralized data will enable researchers and policymakers to conduct studies on various health topics, including vaccine effectiveness and healthcare accessibility.
• Alignment with European Health Data Space (EHDS): Spain's efforts are in line with the EU's vision for a decentralized infrastructure that connects health data access bodies across member states, promoting the secondary use of health data for research and innovation.

Strategic Importance:

The National Health Data Lake is a pivotal component of Spain's digital health transformation. It not only supports national health objectives but also contributes to the European Health Data Space, enhancing cross-border data sharing and collaboration within the EU.