Dutch projects

Some examples of national projects:

• Generation R: We study the mechanisms that cause health inequalities among families with children and adolescents
• GLOBE: we study the explanation of inequalities in health and health behaviour in longitudinal studies
• Cancer surveillance: We analyze the quality of oncological care. We also determine existing variations in treatment and outcome between hospitals and subsequently discuss our findings with hospitals to improve quality of care and quality of life of patients with cancer. We collaborate closely with the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL) to investigate the impact of important developments in oncology on treatment and survival, ranging from the centralization of care and the measurement of quality indicators, and the introduction of new, often expensive, medications. We place a special focus on quality of care for children and the cost-effectiveness of treatment, and we follow-up on patients with skin cancer.
• Medical Care and Decision/making ate End of Life: Our research contributes to achieving optimal physical, psychosocial and existential quality during the last phase of life through high-quality, end-of-life care and decision-making, and by empowering severely ill patients and their families to adequately communicate with health care professionals.
• The implementation and evaluation of (prevention) interventions within health care. A key area is evidence-based falls prevention among Dutch elderly. We develop societal cost-benefit analyses for fall injuries to provide guidance to policymakers on the most optimal fall prevention programme, and we study the barriers and facilitators in the implementation of prevention programmes, and the consequences of reducing falls and related health care costs.
• Making big data meaningful for a promising start in the first 1000 days of life: All children deserve a promising start. Most children are doing fine. But some need extra support, because of problems during pregnancy, or because they grow up in disadvantaged circumstances, for example due to poverty, parental addiction or mental health problems. A poor start can have lifelong consequences, for physical and mental health, and economic and social participation. In this multidisciplinary project, we study how registry data, among others of Statistics Netherlands, can be used to support these children and (expectant) parents. By ensuring more timely referral to services that meet their needs. And by tailoring municipal policies to the needs of vulnerable children and (expectant) parents. In other words, the overall aims of this project are to improve prevention at the individual level and population level. We collaborate with parents, practitioners and municipalities to ensure our research meets their priorities. Read more here.