Nordic Health Data Summit: showcasing Nordic leadership in secondary use of health data

On 30 October 2025, VALO partnered with the FinHITS project and Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communication to host the Nordic Health Data Summit. Hosted by Mikael Rinnetmäki (Sitra) and Antti Piirainen (Findata), the summit highlighted the Nordic region’s leadership in implementing the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and fostering cross-border collaboration in the secondary use of health data.

The event gathered 350 health data experts, researchers, decision-makers, and other stakeholders to learn from the outcomes of the VALO and FinHITS projects. Audience participation was active, with both online and onsite attendees asking thoughtful questions to deepen their understanding of secondary use of health data.

VALO: Aligning efforts to implement the EHDS

Opening remarks from Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health were followed by Markus Kalliola (Sitra), who outlined the EHDS implementation timeline and described how the VALO project is aligning efforts across the Nordics and Baltics. His presentation laid the groundwork for the next two sessions, which showcased the project’s key outcomes.

In the following session, Åslaug Helland (Oslo University Hospital) and James Brash (IQVIA) shared findings, challenges, and lessons learned from the VALO pilot, demonstrating Nordic federated data analysis in practice using the OMOP data model.

A panel featuring Talite Duarte Salles (Erasmus MC), Severin Kohler (Heidelberg University Hospital), and Christian Högberg (edenceHealth NV & Passion 2 Improve AB), moderated by Gustav Klingstedt (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare), explored experiences with OMOP, its benefits over other models, its evolution, and the growth of the global community.

The next session focused on the Nordic model of collaboration, led by Iceland’s Directorate of Health.

Rebekka Björg Gudmundsdottir (Directorate of Health) presented the framework designed to coordinate policy and governance across the region while promoting innovation, industry partnerships, and scientific excellence through joint initiatives and data sharing.

A panel led by Sigridur Haraldsdottir Elinarsdottir (Directorate of Health), featuring Marketta Liljeström (iCAN), Julius Joudakis (State Data Agency), and Nicolas E. Vaugelade-Baust (Novartis), discussed the framework from the perspectives of data governance, research, and patient representation. The discussion highlighted the importance of transparency and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

FinHITS: strengthening Finland’s health data infrastructure

The event then spotlighted the work of Findata and the FinHITS project in strengthening Finland’s health data infrastructure. Maari Parkkinen (Findata) presented insights from the Data Permit Authority perspective, detailing Finland’s readiness for seamless integration into the EHDS framework.

Case studies shared by Emilie Toresson Grip (Quantify Research), Mika Torhola (Atostek), and Aarno Palotie (Institute of Molecular Medicine Finland) offered practical experiences in the secondary use of health data and highlighted the potential of Finland’s evolving data ecosystem.

Benchmarks from the traffic and maritime sectors

To wrap up, Janne Lautanala and Olli Soininen (Fintraffic) shared lessons learned and best practices from the traffic and maritime sectors, providing benchmarks for effective data sharing and innovation across industries.

What’s next?

The summit marked the end of the first phase of VALO. The final results will be published by the end of this year, including reports on the Nordic federated analysis pilot, the Nordic model of collaboration, and the Competence Forums.

With this milestone achieved, the VALO project now enters its second phase.
We look forward to welcoming stakeholders to the final VALO event in September next year, where we will share the full journey and achievements of the project.

For further insights, read Findata’s news article covering the highlights of the FinHITS sessions.