HEALTH minister Greg Hunt yesterday announced a framework defining how data collected in the My Health Record system can be used for research and public health purposes - while at the same time preserving privacy and the security of data in the platform.
Hunt said the My Health Record had significant potential, allowing health policy experts to better forecast emerging trends and develop better health strategies to benefit Australian patients.
Key aspects of the final framework include an opt-out provision by individual consumers who have a My Health Record (MHR) to block the use of their data for secondary purposes - allowing them to have a MHR but elect for their information not to be used for research and public health purposes.
Data cannot be used for commercial or non-health-related purposes, including direct marketing to consumers, insurance assessments and eligibility for welfare benefits, and in particular insurance companies will not be able to access the information.
Datasets will be managed and released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which must first consult with stakeholders on planned ethics and approvals processes to ensure protection of individuals' privacy.
Hunt said it was expected that the first release of secondary data would not occur until at least 2020 - more info at health.gov.au.
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