How can we strengthen the health capability of the citizens within the Northern part of the Netherlands
To link real-life issues with big data and the creativity of students, the first edition of Alleta’s Regional Year Challenge was organized in 2021. Students from six different programs at the University of Groningen, UMCG, NHL Stenden, and Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen worked on challenges aimed at enhancing the ability of residents of the Northern Netherlands to optimize their health.
All practical issues are related to the overarching theme of the annual challenge: strengthening the health capacity of people in the Northern Netherlands so that they can achieve optimal health. Various municipalities and healthcare institutions from the three northern provinces each presented their own challenges for the program. For example, the Wilhelmina Hospital in Assen wants to know how they can ensure that patients follow recommended lifestyle programs better after discharge from the hospital. The Municipality of De Fryske Marren asked how they can involve local stakeholders in reducing health disparities in their municipality.
Throughout the year, students and clients will share insights and results with each other through networking events. Results included data visualizations, policy recommendations, and practical innovative solutions.
Testimonial of a student
“I participated in the pilot of the Aletta’s regional year challenge in 2021-2022, as part of a course I was following at the time. This challenge allowed us to explore a public-health related research question using real-world data from Lifelines in collaboration with an external stakeholder.
Due to the Aletta’s regional year challenge, I was able to work on a project with real-world applications. With multiple groups working on different, multidisciplinary projects related to the same theme, we were able to cover a broad scope of topics. We also had the opportunity to contact experts in the field for questions and advice. Additionally, several networking events were organized. These events gave us a platform to present, discuss and evaluate our projects (sub-challenges) with our peers, professors and experts. These events led to some great ideas and allowed us to see the broader scope of the project which we were a part of.
To summarize, I found the Aletta’s regional year challenge an interesting and educative experience which I look back on fondly. It allowed me to apply my knowledge to a real-world topic and collaborate with external organizations to develop and deliver a product on the topic of healthy ageing. I worked in an interdisciplinary team which taught me many skills, including long term organization, data analysis and effective commination and teamwork, which I can apply in my future studies and career.”
Results from five project groups
- Quantitative study, titled: “Improving Health Literacy” in collaboration with Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis Assen (Hanzehogeschool Groningen)
- Qualitative study, titled: “The Youth of Stadskanaal” in collaboration with Zorg Innovatie Forum (NHL Stenden)
- Qualitative research focussing on the question: “How do we reach the people that need the most help with realising/strengthening/growing of health ability” in collaboration with the municipality of Hoogeveen (NHL Stenden)
- Quantitative research focussing on the question: “Which factors could explain the health differences between neighbourhoods in Groningen with different socioeconomic statuses” (in collaboration with the municipality of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen)
- Webapp development focussing on Lifestyle improvement, with the question: “How might we, as a hospital, gain more insight into lifestyle-related initiatives within the social domain?” in collaboration with UMCG (Hanzehogeschool Groningen)