WHO delegation visits THUAS to discuss healthy ageing

Researchers and representatives from across Europe gathered in The Hague to exchange knowledge and experiences on healthy ageing and long-term care in urban environments.

The visit was part of the WHO-initiated Network of Healthy Ageing and Long-Term Care and was organised by Luc de Witte, Professor of Technology for Health Care, and Joost van Hoof, Professor of Urban Ageing, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The Hague University of Applied Sciences hosted the event on behalf of the Centres of Expertise Health Innovation and Governance of Urban Transitions.

During the two-day session, discussions focused on prevention throughout the life course, the future of care ecosystems, inclusive living environments for all ages, and combating age discrimination. Examples of good practice and gaps in scientific evidence were identified and collected as building blocks for a new European WHO strategy on ageing, called ‘Ageing is Living’. The foundations were also laid for a new WHO Research Network on Healthy Ageing.

In addition to the substantive programme, the international delegation visited the Care Innovation Hub in The Hague, where researchers, healthcare organisations, entrepreneurs, residents, local initiatives and the municipality collaborate on innovative solutions for healthy ageing.

The Hague University of Applied Sciences is working to strengthen its international profile, including by joining European research consortia. The meeting in The Hague offered the university an opportunity to position itself in this thematic area, which is addressed by several research groups. Moreover, the university was able to contribute its own research priorities to the discussions.