Several challenges can hinder secure data sharing in epidemiology. One of the main issues is the regulatory compliance with laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union. These regulations require stringent measures to protect personal data, which can be complex to implement. Another challenge is the standardization of data formats and protocols, which is essential for meaningful data exchange but often lacks consistency across different organizations. Additionally, there are technological barriers, such as the need for secure and interoperable data systems.
