Using e-health to increase citizen participation in healthier lifestyles in the community (Samen Slim Gezond) (Smart Health for All)

A partnership of educational institutions (Saxion, HAN), SMEs (the Bettery Institute, De Klerk GO), the municipality of Deventer and organisations from the Colmschate neighbourhood in Deventer (Zorggroep Solis, Stichting Wijk voor Elkaar, De 5Hoek) has been established to strengthen local initiatives to improve the health of neighbourhood residents. The aim of the project is to develop a sustainable platform that supports residents in adopting activities that contribute towards a healthier lifestyle. The aim is to create a platform that will still be in use in the long term.

Healthcare costs are rising every year. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, health and well-being expenditure in the Netherlands amounted to €106.2 billion in 2019. This was 5.2% more than in 2018. Considering the aging of the Dutch population this trend will continue for some time making adequate healthcare difficult to finance. Therefore the focus is increasingly shifting to prevention and resident participation (health and well-being), which is ultimately better and cheaper than ‘curing the illness’. One of the instruments to further shape this trend are GROZzerdammen, field labs which carry out experiments with new initiatives focusing on citizens and prevention. This project is part of this trend.

During the project, research will include a description of the needs of residents and tailoring an app to support the needs identified. A sustainable business model will be developed for health promotion and establishing a learning community.

The project should result in a design for a cost-effective organisation of local health support and promotion. This includes an e-health solution that supports the needs of the residents. Other deliverables will be the business model and the establishment of a learning community for local organisations participating in the network.