Platform of Professors of Applied Sciences on Lifestyle in Health and Social Care

The Platform of Professors of Applied Sciences on Lifestyle in Health and Social Care was established to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice in lifestyle interventions, thereby strengthening prevention in health and social care. By connecting professors of applied sciences from different disciplines and universities of applied sciences, the platform creates a unique interdisciplinary infrastructure that brings together expertise on lifestyle, behavior change and health and translates it into practice-oriented research, education and professional practice. The platform offers an interprofessional approach that connects the research of individual professorships and temporary research projects. From the Centre of Expertise Health Innovation, Joke Korevaar, Professor of Research Group Oncological Care, is actively involved.

Bringing together professors of applied sciences from different disciplines and universities of applied sciences enables us to achieve more at the intersection of health and social care.

- Joke Korevaar, Professor of Research Group Oncological Care

Background

The societal urgency of lifestyle and prevention in health and social care remains as strong as ever. National policy frameworks, including the National Public Health Policy 2025–2028, the Healthy and Active Living Agreement (GALA), the Integrated Care Agreement (IZA) and the Supplementary Health and Social Care Agreement (AZWA), all emphasize the importance of health, resilience and behavior change. At the same time, health and social care professionals often feel insufficiently equipped to discuss and support healthy lifestyle choices in everyday practice. This is partly due to the complexity of lifestyle-related issues—there is no one-size-fits-all solution—and because behavior change requires ongoing attention. Additional challenges include limited consultation time, insufficient practical knowledge and a predominant focus on curative care.

Objective

The Platform of Professors of Applied Sciences on Lifestyle in Health and Social Care strengthens the professional practice of health and social care professionals by connecting practice-oriented research on lifestyle and behaviour change with education, professional practice and policy through a broad, cross-sector approach to health.

Method

Between 2023 and 2025, the platform established a strong substantive foundation through intensive collaboration with professionals, citizens, professional associations and knowledge institutions. This resulted in the jointly developed Practice Innovation Agenda (PIA), which identifies 17 priority challenges across six key themes:

• Discussing lifestyle;
• Collaboration;
• Inclusive reach;
• Environment;
• Tools and technology;
• Professional and ethical dilemmas.

During the coming period, the platform will focus on further development and long-term embedding. Priorities include strengthening the network and collaboration in practice-oriented research around the PIA themes, further positioning practice-oriented lifestyle research within health and social care, and increasing its impact on education and professional practice. The platform will also serve as a national point of contact for policymakers, practice partners and other knowledge networks.

Results

Between 2026 and 2029, the platform will develop into a recognised national, cross-sector Centre of Expertise for practice-oriented research on lifestyle and behaviour change in health and social care, with demonstrable impact on education, professional practice and policy.

Impact

• Strengthening structural alignment and collaboration between professorships;
• Further developing the Practice Innovation Agenda through thematic focus;
• Increasing visibility and positioning within the research and policy landscape;
• Strengthening the translation of research into education and professional practice;
• Ensuring the platform's long-term organisational sustainability.

More Information

The platform has its own website (Dutch).

Duration

The platform runs from June 2026 to June 2029.

Funding

SIA – The Dutch Taskforce for Applied Research (Regieorgaan SIA).

Partners

We collaborate with:

• Christelijke Hogeschool Ede
• Avans University of Applied Sciences
• Saxion University of Applied Sciences
• Fontys University of Applied Sciences
• HAN University of Applied Sciences
• Hanze University of Applied Sciences
• Leiden University of Applied Sciences
• RIVM
• Inholland University of Applied Sciences
• Aventus Vocational Education (ROC Aventus)

Contact

Joke Korevaar ([email protected])