Jeffrey V. Lazarus at the Data2Value Executive Dialogue

“Why data matters for people, systems, and society.”

Voices from the Data2Value Executive Dialogue: Jeffrey V. Lazarus from Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal).

One of the clearest messages to emerge from Jeffrey V. Lazarus’s contribution was that the impact of health data reaches far beyond the clinical encounter. Data benefits people, systems, and populations – and all three must be considered if we want to generate real value.

Rather than viewing data only through the lens of individual patients, Lazarus urged participants to recognise the broader responsibility that comes with the information hospitals and health systems collect every day. These routine data points, he noted, are also powerful tools for understanding population health, guiding public-health planning, and shaping long-term strategies that benefit society as a whole.

His perspective resonated strongly with the atmosphere at the most recent Data2Value Executive Dialogue in Berlin, where leaders from across Europe discussed how to move from fragmented datasets to systems that can actually learn, adapt, and respond. The consensus was clear: unlocking value requires not just technology, but a commitment to access, responsible governance, and cross-border collaboration.

These themes will guide the next gathering as well. On 18 May 2026, senior healthcare executives, policymakers, and innovators will meet again at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen to continue shaping how Europe can use health data to improve patient care and strengthen population health.

Jeffrey V. Lazarus is Research Professor at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and Adjunct Professor at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.