HELT TALKS

What are the 'HELT Talks' ?

HELT stands for Health, Law, and Technology – three broad subject areas that intersect each other in discourses around improving quality and access to health care, or advancing medical research beyond the state-of-the-art. Following on the success of the HELT Symposium, our annual flagship event which brings together representatives from the academia, industry, research organisations, healthcare professionals and policymakers, the HELT Talks was conceived as a year-round (monthly) event, providing a dynamic platform for thought-provoking discussions and stimulating debates on the future of digital health and care, through the prism of regulatory responses and relevant policy initiatives.

What is the typical format of a session at HELT Talks?

HELT Talks sessions are typically divided into two parts. In the first part, each speaker gives a presentation on a specific topic, touching upon particular challenges and open issues around the integration of technology in the realm of health care that require delving into legal and regulatory frameworks. The second part of the session aims at encouraging a deeper level of reflection on the topic under discussion, through organic conversations between the speakers and the audience.

What kind of topics are covered at HELT Talks?

HELT Talks cover a breadth of topics on law, health and technology, ranging from legal challenges for the use of health data and regulatory issues concerning advanced medical technology, to the use of artificial intelligence in medicine, data governance and data extraterritoriality in health care.

TALK of the Month

28 February 2025 | 13.00 - 15.00

Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Equitable Access to Healthcare in the Digital Era

Technological innovation in recent years has opened up new opportunities for the delivery of health and care services. Over the past decades, we have witnessed significant advancements in digital technologies within the health sector, leading to improved treatments and services. Advanced digital health technologies are widely recognized for their potential to revolutionize the health sector and generate significant economic and societal value. However, despite the unstoppable progress of these technologies, there are substantial barriers to accessing comprehensive and inclusive healthcare services in the EU. Discrimination, stigma, and a lack of understanding among health and care practitioners can result in inadequate or even denied care for people in vulnerable situations. This also impacts access to broader determinants of health, such as housing and employment opportunities, preventing the full realization of the right to health and related fundamental rights in the digital era.

Equal access to healthcare services for all individuals is a critical issue recognized by society. Given the inevitability of healthcare innovation, it is imperative to address existing inequalities and implement digital inclusion strategies to mitigate these issues and prevent further vulnerability for all. This month's HELT talk will delve into digital rights in the healthcare sector, analyzing the social determinants of digital health and discussing how various stakeholders can help overcome current challenges in healthcare and health promotion, ensuring that nobody is left behind.

Speakers

Ms. Mila Paspalanova

The High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Regional Office for Europe

Mila Paspalanova has been an Expert on Human Rights Indicators at OHCHR since February 2009, where responsibilities include coordinating the implementation of a human rights indicators framework and advising government entities in Mexico on human rights assessments and public policy evaluation. Previous roles include Professor of Sociology at ITESM, focusing on migration and human trafficking, and Durable Solutions Assistant at UNHCR, promoting refugee integration in Mexico. Mila's research background includes a focus on illegal migration from Eastern Europe while serving as a Research Associate at ISPO - Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Academic credentials feature a PhD in Social and Political Sciences from KU Leuven, an MS in Statistics from Katholieke Universiteit Brussel, and an MS in Psychology from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski.

Mr. Sascha Marschang

European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE) , Health Action International

Based in Brussels since 2007, Sascha Marschang has been working on digital health-related issues for over 15 years, including as an independent consultant for NGOs active in the EU health and social policy realm. He is a member of the Digital Health and Rights Alliance, which advocates a transparent, inclusive and fair integration of digital technologies.

In 2022, he joined the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation (HOPE) in an advisory role, primarily exploring the impacts of the digital transformation on the sector (e.g., European Health Data Space, AI Act, cybersecurity policy framework) and managing EU-funded digital health projects. Prior to this, he spent 12 years at the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), including as acting director, with a strong focus on tackling health inequalities and advancing the rights of underserved communities.

Originally from Berlin, he migrated to Canada in the 1990s, where he obtained a Master's degree in Cultural and Communication Studies (York University, Toronto) and also worked for several ministries of the Ontario Provincial Government.