Life sciences and health

In 2015, the UN set a number of Sustainable Develop­ment Goals (SDGs) to achieve by 2030. SDG3 “Good Health and Well-being” is meant to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages.”

We can’t achieve SDG3 with healthcare alone. We need new technology. And let’s not forget sports! Both physical and mental health matters a lot to Dutch people. They go for the healthier option when they can – taking the bicycle instead of the car, for example. Innovative technology and an excellent medical infrastructure aside, high mental health awareness and a balanced diet all contribute to our outlook on health. Our aim? A fully personalised healthcare system, based on our national data infrastructure.

We encourage each other to take health into our own hands. But for such a personalised approach to work, we need the right tools. Think eHealth applications that allow for early diagnostics. After all, prevention, as Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus famously said, is cure. We also encourage exercise – a sustainable way to maintain physical and mental health.

Ageing populations. Unhealthy lifestyles. Sometimes preventable chronic illness, like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. And increasing healthcare costs. All key global challenges standing in the way of healthy living. So, in line with our can-do mentality, we roll up our sleeves and get to work. Here’s what we do:

• The quadruple helix approach. Sounds fancy, right? This consists of collaborative programmes between government, knowledge institutes, society, and businesses. These stimulate knowledge exchange and embrace an interdisciplinary approach to complex societal health issues;
• Academic medical centres. These combine scientific research, education, and patient care. They front-run medical tech­nology, biotechnology, and regenerative medicine, to name a few;
• Over 600 government and public-private initiatives. These encourage an active, healthy lifestyle;
• More than 3,100 Life Sciences companies within a 200 kilometre radius. These offer (digital) solutions that empower patients and their relatives, while also creating better conditions for healthcare workers;
• A tightly-knit eco-system. This creates a local pool of talent and expertise;
• Promotion of sports and activities for children. Not just in the Netherlands, but across the globe together with local partners;
• Promotion and global use of our world-leading cycling infrastructure.