Irit Nachtigall at Data2Value Executive Dialogue

“Health data saves lives.”

Voices from the Data2Value Executive Dialogue: Irit Nachtigall from Vivantes in Berlin.

At the Data2Value Executive Dialogue in Berlin, Irit Nachtigall, Director of the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine at Vivantes, reminded us of the true value of health data: it can save lives.

She emphasized that data becomes meaningful only when healthcare professionals know how to use it – when they are trained in data literacy and empowered to turn insights into action. With the right knowledge and skills, every piece of data can help protect people from disease, not only treat them once they are ill.

Germany’s healthcare system has already embarked on its digital transformation journey. The next step is clear: invest in people, strengthen data competence, and make digitalisation work for both patients and healthcare professionals.

The Data2Value Executive Dialogue brought together healthcare leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across Europe and beyond to discuss how data can become a true driver of transformation. The dialogue highlighted real-world examples, practical challenges, and shared learnings – showing that when data is used responsibly and collaboratively, it can save lives and strengthen healthcare systems.

Irit Nachtigall is Director of the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine at Vivantes and co-hosted the Data2Value Executive Dialogue in Berlin.