Digital Agenda: Commission seeks views on improving healthcare by applying ICT (eHealth)

The questionnaire will also help the Commission assess whether its proposed policy objectives are technically viable, workable in practice and in line with the expectations of stakeholders. The answers must be submitted by 25 May and they will feed into the eHealth Action Plan for 2012-2020.

Background

The European Commission has been investing in eHealth research for over 20 years. Since 2004, when the first eHealth Action Plan was launched, it has also been developing targeted policy initiatives aimed at fostering widespread adoption of eHealth technologies across the EU.

In 2010, the flagship initiatives Digital Agenda for Europe and Innovation Union were launched as part of the EU's Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Both flagships incorporate an important role for eHealth: the Digital Agenda for Europe includes a number of targeted eHealth actions and goals as part of a wider strategy towards sustainable healthcare and ICT-based support for dignified and independent living. The Innovation Union strategy introduces the concept of a pilot European Innovation Partnership on active and healthy ageing, which is being put in place in 2011.

Public Consultation on the eHealth Action Plan (eHAP) 2012-2020:

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/health/ehealth_ap_consultation/index_en.htm

Digital Agenda website:

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/index_en.htm

Neelie Kroes' website: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kroes/

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