When you're getting medical treatment, or taking part in medical testing, privacy is important; strict laws limit what researchers can see and know about you. But what if your medical data could be used -- anonymously -- by anyone seeking to test a hypothesis? John Wilbanks wonders if the desire to protect our privacy is slowing research, and if opening up medical data could lead to a wave of health care innovation.

Let's pool our medical data

Strict privacy rules and siloed clinical data have slowed medical research, even as cancer kills over 1,500 Americans every day. Despite digital advances, only three to four percent of patients join studies, leaving most medical information locked away. By building voluntary data commons and embracing sharing, society could unlock powerful new health insights and save lives. The few willing to be digitally 'naked' together can drive meaningful change.

Privacy Silos Stall Medical Progress, Sharing Sparks Health Breakthroughs

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