European Union’s Growth Strategy for Healthcare

The European Union (EU) is investing extensively in healthcare-related research and development as part of its Europe 2020 growth strategy, striving to address such long-term issues as the ageing population and increasing unemployment. Research has been conducted mainly in the areas of understanding chronic disorders—prevalent among people of advanced age—and medical system efficiency. There has also been research on developing new drugs and developing methodologies, tools, and technologies to deliver healthcare adapted to individual needs such as personalised medicine and telemedicine. Horizon 2020, a new framework programme that began in January 2014, builds on previous research on advanced medical technology and includes many open projects related to information and communications technology (ICT) that are focusing on self-reliance support for the elderly, patient self-management, integrative care systems, new diagnostic aids, and other topics. Such efforts are directed toward reducing healthcare costs through the enhancement of data-based medical technology, personalised medical care, and home care systems. In addition, they should generate more employment by creating a data-based healthcare industry. In tandem with the EUʼs healthcare growth strategy, Fujitsu Laboratories is conducting joint research in Ireland, together with Fujitsu Ireland, to leverage daily health-related data to improve both disease prevention and illness management. This paper presents a summary of research programmes in relation to the EU healthcare growth strategy in terms of their structures and scope, followed by accounts of the joint research project currently being conducted in Ireland by the authors.