Personal health data (PHD) are transforming how individuals engage with health systems, creating new opportunities for trust, innovation, and improving access and quality of care. This report examines how OECD countries enable individuals to access, manage, and share their health information across digital platforms and patient portals. Drawing from in-depth interviews with national authorities in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom, the paper analyses policy, technical, and governance enablers that underpin equitable access to personal health data. It identifies leading practices in interoperability, data architecture, privacy, consent, digital identity, and patient engagement. Countries with mature ecosystems demonstrated consistent public trust frameworks, integration across sectors, and strong legislative foundations balancing privacy with data interoperability and sharing. As healthcare becomes increasingly digital and the availability of patient-generated data grows, ensuring that individuals can securely access and use their own health data will be critical for future-ready, data-driven, and person-centred health systems.
Personal health data systems in OECD countries
Insights into structures and solutions for public access and use
