There are some expert events of the European eHealth community that have never really made it into the media spotlight. Despite this, many of them still deserve to be recognized for their contribution in helping advance the continent's eHealth infrastructure. The annual Symposium of the European Health Telematics Association (EHTEL) is such an event. It kicked off today in Brussels at the headquarters of the Committee of the Regions. The more than 100 delegates added a new perspective to the discussion of digitizing Europe's healthcare: The role of Europe's regions in turning theory into reality.

"Healthcare is always a local issue: the delivery will always take place in a local or regional setting," said EHTEL's Martin Denz. "So it is a strategic decision to focus on the regions. We have many good initiatives at the top-level, but we need to re-connect to the basics."

Putting innovation on the agenda

Reconnecting to the basics was also the goal of Maria Iglesia-Gomez of the European Commission's DG for Health and Consumers (SANCO). In her keynote speech she focused on the challenge resulting from the aging population in Europe.

"Given the demographic development our healthcare systems will not be sustainable," she said. The total age-related spending in the EU 27 will increase by 4.75% points of GDP by 2060. The Commission therefore plans to take action to help Europeans live healthier lives for longer.

"The European Commission plans to increase the average person's 'healthy life years' by two years by 2020," Iglesia-Gomez said. To do so, she says, it is "extremely important that the things happen on a local level, where they are needed - not just in Brussels."

She announced the adoption of a strategic implementation plan for healthy aging in Europe planned for spring 2011. It will be supported by a public/private partnership initiated by the European Commission, which brings together consumers, industry and healthcare providers in order to drive innovations in handling the pressures of Europe's aging society.

Source: HealthTech Wire