Term of the Day

Natural History Study

A natural history study is a preplanned intended to track the course of the disease. Its purpose is to identify demographic, genetic, environmental, and other variables (e.g., treatment modalities, concomitant medications) that correlate with the disease’s development and outcomes. Natural history studies are likely to include patients receiving the current standard of care and/or emergent care, which may alter some manifestations of the disease.

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European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS)

The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) is an independent supervisory authority established in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2018/1725, on the basis of Article 16 TFEU.

The EDPS' mission is to ensure that the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals - in particular their privacy - are respected when the EU institutions and bodies process personal data.

The EDPS is responsible for:

  • monitoring and ensuring the protection of personal data and privacy when EU institutions and bodies process the personal information of individuals;
  • advising EU institutions and bodies on all matters relating to the processing of personal information. The EDPS is consulted by the EU legislator on proposals for legislation and new policy developments that may affect privacy;
  • monitoring  new technology that may affect the protection of personal information;
  • intervening  before the Court of Justice of the EU to provide expert advice on interpreting data protection law;
  • cooperating  with national supervisory authorities and other supervisory bodies to improve consistency in protecting personal information.