Vision & Mission

The creation of a health data infrastructure not only contributes to healthcare. It is also a means to increase the innovative power of the Netherlands. Easier and better sharing and reuse of healthcare and research data accelerates research and innovation, which not only benefits economic growth, but above all the health of citizens and patients.   

An integrated health data research infrastructure

The corona crisis has shown that access to data is necessary for rapid innovations in healthcare. Structural access to and use of data - not only during a pandemic – is important, as it will lead to better health for all.

Exchange and (re)use of health data by researchers and doctors, among others, is crucial for this. The Netherlands already has an excellent starting position in data-driven (bio)medical innovation to develop new and more effective solutions for diagnosis, treatment and prevention faster and cheaper, to test and to bring to patients and the market. The Netherlands also has large quantities of high-quality health data at its disposal but lacks a collective infrastructure to process data in a safe and standardized manner and to make it accessible for reuse by healthcare professionals, researchers and companies, while safeguarding privacy.

Health-RI is a public-private initiative to realize this national infrastructure and thereby strengthen the health of citizens and the innovative capacity. A national health data infrastructure is the engine of a learning healthcare system to achieve faster health improvements for citizens and patients. We think big, but start small, taking a practical and step by step approach together with our partners. 

What is needed for an integrated health data infrastructure

We are striving for better health for citizens and patients by reusing health data with an integrated health data infrastructure for research, policy and innovation. In order to achieve our mission, these preconditions are important:

The data infrastructures for care, research, policy and innovation must go hand in hand and must be interoperable and integrated. The principles and processes for capturing and accessing health data must be set up jointly.

The need for integral sectoral legislation and regulations for health research must be considered, as becomes clear from the ‘obstacle removal process’ currently taking place.

The provision of information and control procedures for citizens and patients on the secondary use of their health data requires direction and should be organized nationally.

The establishment and maintenance of a national health data infrastructure is a service of general economic interest, requiring a public utility that facilitates, directs and coordinates.