Category: patient empowerment

Kapa3 Supports Digital Innovation for Oncology Patients at Morning Health Talks

On Thursday, 4 December 2025, the second Morning Health Talk titled “Health Data for Innovation in Greece: Building a Stronger Digital Health Ecosystem” took place at the National Documentation Centre (EKT) in Athens. The event was held in a hybrid format (in-person and online participation), bringing together health professionals, researchers, policymakers and technology partners from Greece and abroad.

During the event, international and Greek experiences were presented on the management and use of health data, digital transformation, and best practices for leveraging data to strengthen the country’s digital health ecosystem.

Among the speakers were:

  • Dr Athanasios Batagiannis, General Director, 3-psi

  • Georgios Dimitriou, Cluster Manager, Hellenic Digital Health Cluster

  • Dr Ioannis Koumpouros, Director of DigInHealth, University of West Attica

  • Elpida Fotiadou, Head of eHealth, IDIKA

With the contribution of the distinguished speakers, key issues were discussed, including infrastructure interoperability, the need for reliable data, bureaucratic barriers, gaps in digital literacy, the development of focused platforms and processes, faster care pathways and needs assessment, the reduction of information fragmentation, and the development of human-centred digital solutions with practical value and social acceptance.

KAPA3 presented its strategic approach, focusing on standardised procedures, data quality improvement, interdisciplinarity, and the use of digital tools to support people living with cancer, as well as on guidance, interaction, empowerment and patient participation in data utilisation processes. At every step, KAPA3 addresses key challenges such as data fragmentation, stakeholder collaboration and human-centred digital solutions—issues that are also summarised in the Good Practices Guide developed within the eHealth4Cancer project.

In summary, the main points highlighted were:

  • A human-centred approach and the application of good practices to ensure the usability and social acceptance of digital solutions.

  • Strengthening collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers and citizens to develop reliable and functional digital infrastructures.

  • The need for systematic scientific research to address challenges such as skills gaps, limited access and data fragmentation.

The event provided an important opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange, promoting the alignment of digital health infrastructures with citizens’ needs and reinforcing KAPA3’s role as an active contributor to the digital transformation of healthcare in Greece.

Read the full Morning Health Talks 2025 press release here and view photos from the event.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Rethinking Solidarity in Health – A European Perspective

Health Systems Under Pressure in Europe

Across Europe, health systems face mounting pressures. Workforce shortages, uneven access, and entrenched inequalities leave many citizens underserved, and public trust in institutions is eroding. The pandemic briefly rekindled a sense of shared responsibility, yet shifting geopolitical tensions and economic priorities have since drawn attention away from collective well-being. This context raises a vital question: what does solidarity in health mean in Europe today? This context was highlighted at the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2025, where policymakers, civil society representatives, and health experts discussed the challenges and opportunities for solidarity in health across Europe.

Health is not merely a commodity; it is the foundation for social cohesion and long-term resilience. Investing in preventive care, mental health, and social support is not a trade-off with economic competitiveness — it is a prerequisite. In the European Union alone, premature deaths in 2022 accounted for 2.4 million lost work-years, highlighting the societal and economic consequences of insufficient early action. Across member states, access to care remains uneven, chronic diseases are on the rise, and innovations are not uniformly available, leaving vulnerable populations facing overlapping disadvantages.

The Role of Preventive Care and Mental Health

Solidarity in health demands action at every level. Primary and community care serve as the first line of defense, with multidisciplinary teams — including doctors, nurses, psychologists, and social workers — partnering with civil society organisations to reach underserved groups. Examples from Andalusia, Portugal, and Estonia’s e-consultation payment model show how coordinated, person-centred approaches build trust, improve access, and empower citizens. Prevention, early detection, and health literacy must complement innovation, ensuring no one is left behind. In the EU, the average diagnostic delay for asthma is 4.5 years, underlining the need for timely, equitable care.

Digital Health Innovation and Equity

Digital transformation presents both promise and challenge. AI, big data, and digital health tools can enhance early detection and patient monitoring. They also improve system efficiency. However, they risk amplifying bias and mistrust if governance is weak.. Europe’s task is to combine innovation with ethical oversight, embedding transparency, accountability, and accessibility into every design decision. Initiatives like the European Health Data Space (EHDS) aim to unify interoperability, research, and patient empowerment under one framework, giving citizens control over their health data while supporting innovation and equity.

Health systems also intersect with broader social and environmental challenges. Climate change, rising social inequalities, and ageing populations disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, while end-of-life care and rare diseases expose gaps in equity, research, and policy. Across Europe, collaborative solutions — from shared patient pathways to cross-border networks — are essential. Health contributes approximately 10% of EU GDP and 9% of employment, demonstrating its central role in both social and economic stability. Public funding, strategic investment in long-term care, and multi-sector collaboration strengthen resilience and uphold solidarity. Notably, €170 million has been allocated to the EU’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda on Health and Climate Change, ensuring vulnerable populations are included in solutions.

Examples of Person-Centred Care in the EU

Ultimately, solidarity in health is not merely about funding or policies; it is a commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and collective responsibility. From innovative care models like Karolinska University Hospital’s “hospital at home” programme to Estonia’s digital solutions, Europe has examples of what works when equity and person-centred design guide decisions. Rebuilding trust and strengthening solidarity requires transparency, engagement with civil society, and measures that demonstrate care in action.

Europe’s social contract in health can be renewed, balancing competitiveness with care. When investments, innovation, and policies are guided by solidarity, the continent can ensure that health becomes the common ground on which trust is restored — measured not in slogans or speeches, but in the well-being of every citizen.

Read the EHFG report here

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3