Event

Nordic Health Data Summit 2026

On 23 September, the Nordic Health Data Summit 2026 brings together policymakers, experts, researchers, innovators and stakeholders from across the Nordic region and Europe to explore how health data can be used more effectively for research, innovation and better health outcomes.

Location

Oslo Congress Center, Youngs gate 21, 0181, Oslo, Norway

and online

Schedule

Wednesday 23.09.2026 08.30-18.00

CEST / UTC+2

Registration


Attendance is free but advance registration is required. Onsite registration closes on 7 September 23:59 (CEST).

The event showcases the results of the Value from Nordic health data project (VALO2), funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, and highlights how Nordic cooperation can support the implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS). Through concrete examples, lessons learned and forward-looking discussions, the summit demonstrates how collaboration across countries can unlock the value of health data while maintaining trust, governance and national responsibilities.

The programme features keynote addresses from decisionmakers, expert discussions, presentations of project results and concrete use cases. Sessions will explore the progress in the implementation of the EHDS across the Nordic countries, share hands-on experiences from cross-country pilot studies using federated analysis and secure processing environments, and discuss an emerging model for Nordic collaboration on the secondary use of health data.

A dedicated session hosted by Norwegian OHDSI National Node (NOR-OMOP) will present opportunities for industry and researchers to engage with health data through common data models, shared analytical tools and Nordic collaboration frameworks. In addition, a session on the status and future potential of Norwegian health data will showcase how national strategies, data infrastructures and research initiatives can enable innovation, research, and collaboration across the Nordics and Europe.

The event is organised by Sitra on behalf of the VALO2 project, in cooperation with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Participation is possible onsite in Oslo, with parts of the programme streamed online.

Why attend?

  • Gain practical insights into EHDS implementation
  • See Nordic cooperation in action
  • Learn from real world use cases
  • Connect with key actors in the health data ecosystem
  • Help shape what comes next

Programme

08:30

09:00

Doors open and coffee

09:00

09:25

Opening session

09:25

10:25

Session 1: Advancing EHDS – lessons from VALO

This session provides an overview of key EHDS developments in the EU, as well as the Value from Nordic Health Data (VALO2) project and its role within the EHDS ecosystem.

The highlight of the session is the Nordic EHDS2 Competence Forum, a central part of VALO2, where representatives from Nordic ministries and authorities meet quarterly to discuss the preparation and implementation of EHDS in relation to the secondary use of health data. The forum provides a trusted space for peer exchange and enables cross-country comparison and alignment on key topics such as health data access bodies, secure processing environments, legal interpretation and national legislation, and metadata catalogues.

This session will present the forum’s way of working, highlight preliminary outcomes, and outline possible next steps as part of a proposed Nordic model.

Speakers
Michel Silvestri

Michel Silvestri

Senior Adviser and Head of Unit, Swedish eHealth Agency

Markus Kalliola

Markus Kalliola

Programme Director, Sitra

Mikael Rinnetmäki

Mikael Rinnetmäki

Specialist, Sitra

Jenina Soimala

Jenina Soimala

Lawyer, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

Mari Mäkinen

Mari Mäkinen

Senior Planning Officer, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

10:25

11:25

Session 2: Building a stronger Nordic health data region – from vision to implementation

Nordic health data holds enormous potential for research, innovation, and better health systems. Realising that potential requires coordination, commitment, and a shared framework.

This session presents the Nordic model for collaboration on the secondary use of health data and brings together key actors to discuss what implementation looks like in practice. What roles do different stakeholders play? What are the barriers, and what are the opportunities? A focused panel discussion will explore what it will take to move from vision to action.

Speakers
Sigríður Haraldsdóttir Elínardóttir

Sigríður Haraldsdóttir Elínardóttir

Head of Division, Health Information, Directorate of Health Iceland

Rebekka Björg Guðmundsdóttir

Rebekka Björg Guðmundsdóttir

Project Manager, Directorate of Health Iceland

11:25

11:45

Coffee break

11:45

12:15

Session 3: Unlocking cross-border use of health data – lessons from a Nordic SPE pilot

This session presents key outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations from the VALO2 pilot on real‑world use of cancer immunotherapies in Denmark, Finland, and Norway.

Serving as a hands‑on rehearsal for the upcoming European Health Data Space (EHDS), the pilot demonstrates how researchers can securely access and analyse sensitive health data across borders via remote access in secure processing environments without data leaving its home country. The session highlights feasibility, practical challenges, and what is needed to scale this approach.

Speakers
Mads Albrecht Andersen

Mads Albrecht Andersen

MD, Rigshospitalet, Denmark

Andreas Ravn Andersen

Andreas Ravn Andersen

MD, PhD Fellow, Rigshospitalet, Denmark

12:15

12:45

Discussion

Q&A and audience discussion for sessions 1–3.

12:45

13:45

Lunch

Live stream ends

13:45

15:45

NOR-OMOP and Nordic-Baltic OMOP – building blocks in the Nordic health data landscape

This session, hosted by the Norwegian OHDSI National Node (NOR-OMOP), will explore how the OMOP common data model and Nordic-Baltic collaboration can support the secondary use of health data. Through short presentations from Norwegian data partners and an interactive discussion, participants will gain insights into current initiatives and future opportunities for cross-border and cross-domain research.

Key topics include trust, transparency and reproducibility, as well as how Nordic collaboration can strengthen preparedness for the European Health Data Space (EHDS) and enable more efficient and impactful use of health data.

Speakers
Espen Enerly

Espen Enerly

Researcher, Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Kristin Oterholt Knudsen

Kristin Oterholt Knudsen

Senior Adviser, Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Siri Larønningen

Siri Larønningen

Senior Adviser, Cancer Registry of Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health

15:45

16:05

Coffee break

16:05

17:05

Session 5: Status and possibilities for Norwegian health data

This session, hosted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, provides an overview of the current status and future opportunities for the use of health data in Norway. It will highlight strategy, governance structures, and key data sources that support secondary use of health data and how Norway is developing its health data ecosystem in line with the European Health Data Space (EHDS).

Through concrete use cases, the session demonstrates how linking national health registries with population-based cohorts enables high-quality research and supports evidence-based policy and innovation.

Speakers
HÃ¥vard Kolle Riis

HÃ¥vard Kolle Riis

Department director, Norwegian Institute of Public Health

Siri Eldevik HÃ¥berg

Siri Eldevik HÃ¥berg

Specialist director, Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Director, Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health

17:05

17:15

Closing

The programme is subject to change. More speakers will be updated at a later stage.

More information

Naomi Wuori

Junior Specialist, Future Well-being solutions

See also