Health Data Sharing in Emergencies
Abstract
Health data sharing during emergencies—such as pandemics, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises—requires balancing the urgent need for timely information with ethical and legal responsibilities. This chapter examines principles of proportionality, necessity, transparency, and accountability, alongside legal frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and national emergency laws. Through case studies of COVID-19, Ebola, and disaster responses, it highlights successes, failures, and lessons learned. Emerging governance models, cross-border coordination, and privacy-preserving technologies offer pathways to reconcile speed with rights protection. Practical recommendations for policymakers, health authorities, and technology developers are provided to ensure responsible, efficient, and ethical emergency data sharing.