[Big Data: Technical improvement, degradation or transformation of the solidarity model?]

Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique. 2019 Feb:67 Suppl 1:S19-S23. doi: 10.1016/j.respe.2018.12.060. Epub 2019 Jan 8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Big Data, the production of a massive amount of heterogeneous data, is often presented as a means to ensure the economic survival and sustainability of health systems. According to this perspective, Big Data could help save the spirit of our welfare states based on the principles of risks-sharing and equal access to care for all. According to a second perspective, opposed to the first, Big Data would fuel a process of demutualization, transferring to individuals a growing share of responsibility for managing their health. This article proposes to develop a third approach: Big Data does not induce a loss of solidarity but a transformation of the European model of welfare states. These are the data that are now the objects of the pooling. Individual and collective responsibilities are thus redistributed. However, this model, as new as it is, remains liberal in its inspiration; it basically allows the continuation of political liberalism by other means.

Keywords: Big Data; Individualisation des risques; Individualisation of risks; Médecine prédictive; Predictive medicine; Solidarity; Solidarité.

MeSH terms

  • Altruism*
  • Biobehavioral Sciences
  • Datasets as Topic* / standards
  • Datasets as Topic* / supply & distribution
  • Datasets as Topic* / trends
  • Delivery of Health Care* / organization & administration
  • Delivery of Health Care* / standards
  • Delivery of Health Care* / trends
  • Genetic Testing / trends
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / standards
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / statistics & numerical data
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / trends
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Inventions* / trends
  • Precision Medicine / adverse effects
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Precision Medicine / standards
  • Precision Medicine / trends
  • Quality Improvement / trends
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Justice
  • Social Welfare