Abstract
Background. The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in Europe highlights the need for integrated care systems focused on prevention. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) supports cross-border knowledge exchange, facilitating scalable and innovative approaches in prevention and wellbeing across member states. The WellData project aims to create an interoperable ecosystem for standardized cross-border data sharing, integrating health data into healthcare to strengthen prevention.
Approach. This interdisciplinary initiative unites 14 partners with expertise in health data management, preventive healthcare, and technological innovation. Key activities are organized in work packages, including the development of standardized health data indicators, secure data storage, and interoperability guided by FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. Since much of the relevant health data is generated outside clinical settings, the project emphasizes responsible, citizen-centred data use, ensuring privacy and security by design while empowering individuals with control over their personal wellbeing and healthcare information. To ensure that the platform and underlying structure are feasible and effective from a citizen perspective, we will assess these components within real-world field labs, examining whether essential preconditions for usability, accessibility, and empowerment in citizen health management are met. The field lab pilots will validate the cross-border data-sharing innovations while also evaluating citizen usability and engagement with the platform. Ethical, legal, and social aspects (ELSA) provide a framework that aligns the project with societal values, legal requirements, and the active involvement of citizens in assessing their own health data management. An ecosystem comprising stakeholders from Flanders and the Netherlands will include academic institutions, governmental bodies, healthcare professionals, citizen organizations, and private sector partners.
Results. Initial testing of data interoperability between personal data spaces has shown promising outcomes for secure, citizen-centred data exchange. The WellData project aims to establish a cross-border data-sharing infrastructure integrated into healthcare practices in line with EHDS goals. Through field lab evaluations, the project will examine the platform’s feasibility for citizen engagement, focusing on accessibility, usability, and the fulfillment of preconditions that empower citizens to manage their health data.
Implications. This project highlights the potential for a scalable model of personalized preventive healthcare that leverages personal health data within an integrated care framework, aligned with EHDS objectives. By incorporating citizen feedback from field lab assessments, the project aims to ensure that the platform is both technically sound and accessible for individuals, making it supported by various regional contexts. A learning network will be instrumental in sharing best practices across the healthcare ecosystem, promoting sustainability, and supporting future initiatives in integrated care.