Health data is an essential part of understanding virus and disease. Access to this data in the form of statistics, research and analytics can, and has lead to the eradication of many dangerous diseases. Here we tell the story of how Leprosy, which once plagued the world, has become a thing of the past, thanks to one of the worlds first official health registers (created in Norway) There are many different registers and sources of health data available, and the Norwegian Directorate of eHealth aims to create a centralised portal for easier access to advanced analysis for better public health, enhanced patient safety and to help save lives.