Better Together 2025

Vision for a health data network economy2 Collaboration on data can speed innovation, improve delivery, boost prevention and advance research in health systems. Health data collaboration has the potential to transform healthcare systems by promoting a network effect that amplifies the value of information shared between stakeholders. In this context, a network economy refers to an environment in which the value of data multiplies as more stakeholders contribute to and access it – an extension of Metcalfe’s Law12 into the healthcare sector. This creates an expansive web of insights that benefits both individual and collective healthcare outcomes: as participants engage with interconnected health data within networks, insights deepen, enhancing the accuracy of diagnoses, treatments and innovations. By advancing health data collaboration, this network economy establishes a foundation where each participant’s data contributions yield system-wide benefits, promoting forward- thinking healthcare solutions. The collective intelligence within this system supports continuous breakthroughs in healthcare delivery, policy and innovation, creating a cycle of improvement and impactful growth across the sector. The following sections explore the specific impacts of a well- functioning health data network economy. Accelerated innovation in precision medicine As health data collaboration increases, access to large-scale, diverse datasets becomes possible. This data variety accelerates the development of AI-powered diagnostics, precision medicine and personalized care pathways. The principle benefits of these advances include: –Earlier disease detection. Preventative care and early diagnosis can be achieved through pattern recognition and trend analysis. Current models can predict the onset of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which together account for around 20 million deaths annually worldwide.13 –Personalized treatment plans. Insights from patient health records, genomic data, connected sensor technologies, demographics and lifestyle factors enable the creation of tailored treatment plans for individual needs. –Population genomics. Large-scale genomic projects, such as the Emirati Genome Programme14 or the Genome of Europe,15 use advanced DNA sequencing and AI technologies to generate comprehensive genomic data. This data helps in improving the understanding of genetic variations and developing targeted treatments for specific populations. In a health data network economy, each participant contributes to and benefits from the growing pool of data, creating compounding value over time. Improved healthcare delivery and operational efficiency Collaborative data sharing among healthcare providers enhances care delivery by making it faster, more timely and better coordinated. With real-time access to patient records among and between institutions, clinicians can make better decisions, avoid redundant procedures and reduce costs. Not all healthcare data needs to be shared or used universally; a selective and strategic approach can optimize resource use and streamline processes. The principle impacts include: –Care coordination. Health data sharing ensures that care systems can adapt to each patient’s journey, enabling personalized, data-driven decisions that enhance outcomes. –Real-time patient records. More seamless sharing of patient records can significantly improve care coordination and decision-making across institutional and jurisdictional boundaries.2.1 The power of network effects in health Better Together: Building a Global Health Network Economy through Data Collaboration 7