[Health democracy tested]

La démocratie sanitaire à l'épreuvethis text doesn't intend to assess, from a sociological and political science standpoint, the implementation of the law of March 4, 2002, in general -as it covers many aspects difficult to discuss in such a short space, and because we lack enough empirical data for this purpose. However, based on (non-exhaustive) reviews carried out in 2007, 2013 and 2015, it is possible to formulate some hypotheses about the conditions of implementation of patient's individual rights, especially the right to information and informed consent. We also recall some findings established by the sociology Of patient movements regarding their unequal influence in politics. Finally, based on this and on some reflections stemming from a research project on the French management of the Covid crisis that we are currently conducting (financed by the French National Research Agency), we try to identify the ways in which the contemporary epidemic crisis is challenging health democracy now that this concept is celebrating its 20th anniversary.