Studenten overleggen in gemeenschappelijke ruimte in Hogeschool Utrecht

‘Together we make health and happiness accessible to all’

Everyone wants to be healthy and happy. Not only now, but also later. That is why organizations dedicated to the happiness of Utrechters are joining forces. The region has a lot of knowledge and expertise for a healthy life in the medical, social, spatial and economic fields. Health Hub Utrecht (HHU) believes that they can use their strengths even better if they work together. With each other and with the people of Utrecht, Heart of Health.

The initiative focuses on improving health and well-being in the region through collaboration and innovation. “We bring together in the heart of the Netherlands all the parties that make health and happiness accessible to every Utrechter,” says Marjoke Verschelling – Hartog, quartermaster of the Health Hub Utrecht. The regional alliance consists of various partners, including healthcare providers, knowledge institutions, companies and local government agencies.

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Connect

“All these organizations have a difficult task, because healthcare is under pressure. By nature, organizations tend to work primarily on their own goals, but I believe we need each other to make a difference. That’s why we need to connect worlds.” From practitioners and professionals, residents, policy makers and governments, teachers and researchers, designers and innovators to starters and entrepreneurs.

“It is very special that now more than 30 partners in Utrecht are working together on a common goal: to make residents healthier and happier.”

Twee laboranten bekijken een reageerbuis in het lab an Polpharma Biological

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Distinctive strength

According to Marjoke, the focus on health is the region’s distinctive strength. “It’s cool to see how much is happening. For example, there’s cancer research, we’re working with residents to strengthen health, and we’re building homes in healthy neighborhoods. It’s a beautiful movement we’re all in together. It is also important. Not just for Utrecht, but for all of the Netherlands. In the field of health care we face great challenges. How do we ensure that we continue to live as healthily as possible in the future? That is what we are working on. It’s about what people can do about it themselves, but also about keeping healthcare future-proof and affordable.”

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Themes

HHU therefore focuses on a number of themes, such as creating an attractive and sustainable labor market within the healthcare sector.

“We want to solve problems in the healthcare labor market. For example, we have done research on the healthcare professional of the future. How can we better train people and help them find internships?”

There is also a focus on encouraging digital health innovations. “This involves developing new digital tools for healthcare. Think of one user-friendly digital health platform.” HHU also wants to increase digital awareness and skills among residents.

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Prevention

Another theme is neighborhood-based prevention. “We want to improve the health of our residents by preventing diseases. For example, we are looking at what measures and activities are needed to solve health problems in certain neighborhoods.” These can be sports and exercise activities, but also neighborhood projects for healthy eating, such as a neighborhood vegetable garden or cooking workshops.

“The Kansrijke Start working group explores ways to give children the most promising start possible. We also work with young people to strengthen their mental resilience. For the elderly, there are initiatives that help them live independently for longer. Here, for example, fall prevention and dementia are on the agenda.”

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Input from residents

Citizens are thus actively involved in achieving healthy living in the Utrecht region. “Working together for residents also means working together with residents. It’s about them. Through our resident table, they tell us what is needed for a healthy and happy life in our region. A representation of active residents also participates in consultations of our administrators.” In this way, the organization makes the connection between the quality of life of residents, the strength of entrepreneurs and the ambition of governments. “We reinforce each other.”

Vrouwen zitten te praten op het gras in het Utrecht Science Park

Value

What does Marjoke hope the future brings for HHU? “I hope that the professionals and organizations experience how much value it is to come up with new solutions with parties from different domains. And that, as a result, the resident is helped faster and better with solutions that best fit his living environment.”

“Of course, happiness is different for everyone. It includes being comfortable in your skin, connecting with others but also that you enjoy going to work. Health and happiness belong together and also: you can be happy if you are unhealthy. We are aware that illness and unhappiness are inevitable, but we see it as our social duty to do everything we can with all residents of the region to strive for the greatest possible chance of a healthy and happy life for everyone. In Utrecht and the rest of the Netherlands.”

Marjoke Verschelling-Hartog

Marjoke Verschelling was working for Health Hub Utrecht of the municipality of Utrecht until October 2024.

Birk Frankvoort

Birk Frankvoort is program manager at the Health Hub Utrecht (HHU). Together with partners from healthcare, research, government and entrepreneurship, he works on initiatives that contribute to better health and well-being for all. He strengthens coalitions, ensures strong strategic positioning of the hub, and leads the Design and Support Center. With over ten years of experience in healthcare and innovation, Birk connects people and ideas, and helps realize innovative solutions that make a difference in the Utrecht region.