Actualizado el 17/12/2024
Actualizado el 17/12/2024
Vice-President of the European Commission Neelie Kroes announced a new EU green paper on mHealth for MarchEscrito por Redacción TNI el 25/02/2014 a las 20:20:372014
Neelie Kroes highlighted the vibrant Mobile and Connected Health sector: “By the end of this year 231 million individuals worldwide will have downloaded health and fitness apps, with revenues expected to reach over 100 million Euros globally this year, of which 1 in 5 is from Western Europe alone. We need to take advantage of those great changes, because they can benefit us all.” EU mHealth green paper
Vice-President Kroes said that the EU is already investing on research and innovation in the mHealth sector, but “how can we ensure the most benefit from those new technologies? In March we will launch this debate with a green paper on mHealth to get views on the key aspects that matter like patient safety, legal clarity and data protection. How can we have apps that comply with privacy and data protection laws without, for example, preventing the big data innovations that could develop new drugs.”
“That consultation should open in late March and will be open for 12 weeks. I hope that in that period we get views on those and other questions from a wide range of stakeholders: TELCO companies, ICT companies, entrepreneurs, app developers, healthcare providers, professionals and citizens, consumers and more. Giving us useful input on the way forward for European mHealth.”, she said.
Fast, reliable and broadband networks
Vice-President Kroes also expressed increasing concerns about broadband services: “There is one thing mHealth services are really crying out for - fast, reliable broadband networks. In fact, our entire economy is crying out for them too. Today Europe suffers from not enough broadband, patchy reception and poor connections. And today, using your favorite apps abroad could cost you a fortune in roaming fees; fixing those problems is the aim of our proposals to make Europe a connected continent. And I hope that the Members of Parliament and national ministers can agree them soon.”
She said: “mHealth is an exciting and promising field and we all stand to benefit, governments, medics, entrepreneurs and our economy, and every citizen, from those who want to stay healthy to those who want to become healthy again, and those who want to continue leading normal independent lives as they do so. And that’s just one of the benefits of a connected continent.”
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