Health & Society

📚 🏃♂️ Happy to share a new publication titled “𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀” by Ayla Schwarz, Kirsten Verkooijen, Emely de Vet, and Monique Simons.   This study sheds light on the vital role of neighborhood sport coaches in enhancing physical activity within communities. While gamification - integrating game elements into non-game contexts - has great potential for promoting physical activity, its application among neighborhood sport coaches in the Netherlands has been limited.   💡 Key insights from the research: >> Barriers: Financial costs were identified as a barrier to the successful implementation of gamification. Additionally, a lack of clarity regarding stakeholders’ responsibilities to implement gamification could further hamper the process. >> Facilitators: Social support from employers and networks can greatly enhance the implementation process. Despite barriers, neighborhood sport coaches are optimistic about investing time and expect positive outcomes from gamification. 🌟 To overcome the identified barriers, it's crucial to: >> Create a clear overview of tools, best practices, and available subsidies >> Establish a gamification network >> Clarify the responsibilities of NSCs >> Offer guidance on promoting gamification Understanding these factors is crucial for effectively leveraging gamification to foster healthier neighborhoods.   📖 Read the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/e687CsSM

✈️🌍 Attention students: Exciting MSc. thesis available with the opportunity to travel to Brazil! Are you passionate about infectious diseases, socio-ecological systems, and global health? We’re offering a 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗰. 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 to explore the complexities of Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas disease) in humans and animals in Brazil. 🦠 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁? Chagas disease is a devastating parasitic infection affecting both humans and animals, transmitted by triatomine bugs. Ecosystem changes like deforestation and land-use shifts are altering the dynamics of disease transmission. At the same time, socio-economic systems may make certain populations more prone to infection. This makes it crucial to investigate how environmental social and ecological factors intertwine using a One Health approach. In this research, you’ll dive into: • Mapping T. cruzi infection outbreaks in Brazil using 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 • Analyzing connections between 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹, 𝘃𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 • Providing recommendations for global policy in the efforts toward achieving 𝗪𝗛𝗢 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 📍 What’s unique about this role? • 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗨𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗪𝗨𝗥 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 • An opportunity to 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝟭 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, 𝗕𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗮, 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗶𝗹, conducting fieldwork • Work under expert supervision from Wageningen University’s Health & Society and Wildlife Ecology & Conservation 📅 Start date: ASAP 💡 Requirements: Scientific writing skills, a keen interest in socio-ecological sciences, and knowledge of 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗤𝗚𝗜𝗦/𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗚𝗜𝗦, graphic programs. If you're ready to contribute to crucial research that addresses both ecological and social determinants of health, apply now! Send your application to natalie.vinkelesmelchers@wur.nl. Natalie Vinkeles Melchers, Helen Esser, Ph.D.

Valuable research happening in Aruba! Your input can make a difference in identifying infectious disease risks. Take a moment to fill out the survey below! 📝

✨🌲 We are excited to announce the recent publication by Sanne Hiemstra: Salutogenic mechanisms in nature-based work: fostering sense of coherence for employees with limited capability for work. This study delves into how nature-based employment can positively influence the sense of coherence, a key concept in promoting well-being and employability, for individuals with disabilities. 👉 Read more about this research project here: https://lnkd.in/eTNNhR3u

”Er wordt zo veel onderzoek gedaan onder zwangere vrouwen, maar dit onderzoek biedt echt waarde voor henzelf. Ook wij verloskundigen leren ervan. Het onderwerp is heel belangrijk. Maar het blijft ingewikkelde materie. Goede voeding is best een mijnenveld.” - verloskundige Anne van Dellen over het onderzoek Power4GezondZwanger. 💪 Bij Power4GezondZwanger werken verloskundigen, diëtisten en zwangere vrouwen samen om de voedingskwaliteit tijdens de zwangerschap te verbeteren. Door voeding op vier extra momenten te bespreken, worden aanstaande moeders empowered om gezonde keuzes te maken voor zichzelf en hun baby. 🍎 Met dit onderzoek willen we zwangere vrouwen de tools geven om een gezonde zwangerschap te ondersteunen door middel van voeding. Benieuwd naar meer? Lees alles over dit onderzoek op onze website! https://lnkd.in/eBcRza39 👉 Dit unieke programma wordt uitgevoerd door Wageningen University & Research, in samenwerking met vele partners zoals Koninklijke Nederlandse Organisatie van Verloskundigen (KNOV), Nederlandse Vereniging van Diëtisten (NVD), Geboorteconsortia Nijmegen en Midden Nederland, Voedingscentrum, Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei en verloskundigen- en diëtistenpraktijken in Nederland. Het project wordt mogelijk gemaakt dankzij de steun van ZonMw en Regio Deal Foodvalley. Renske van Lonkhuijzen, Annemarie Wagemakers, Susanne Cremers, Edith Feskens, Trimbos-instituut

🎉🎓 Congratulations to Kristine Mourits on her PhD defense today at Radboudumc! Under the guidance of our colleague Marleen PM Bekker Bekker and with the support of Lenneke Vaandrager as part of the reading committee, Christine has tackled a vital topic: "How many square metres do you need for health?" Her research explores the integration of health considerations into spatial planning within Dutch municipalities. Christine's findings shed light on the current state of health integration in spatial development, revealing that it lacks a systematic approach. She emphasizes that public health policy advisers cannot tackle this challenge alone. More is needed than just answering the question of space requirements for health. Her recommendations call for municipalities to enhance their efforts at all organizational levels - political-administrative, strategic, tactical, and operational - to make health an integral part of spatial development, as mandated by the Environment and Planning Act. This requires: >> A shared vision >> Multidisciplinary teams >> Adjusted budgeting and accountability systems >> A robust learning infrastructure Christine advocates for the public health policy adviser to take on a pivotal role in connecting and activating these changes. Achieving a healthier living environment is a collective responsibility that demands continuous collaboration across all organizational levels. We look forward to seeing the impact of her research in our communities!

🌱 On September 25-26, Lenneke Vaandrager and Lucie Sovová attended the EFUA Action Conference in Brussels, where they engaged in discussions about the environmental, social, health, care, and food benefits of urban agriculture.  Together with Zoe Hueskel, they facilitated two insightful workshops:   1️⃣ "Collaborating for Food Systems Change: Uniting Food Policy Councils and Urban Agriculture." 2️⃣ "Urban Agriculture Manifesto: 5 Recommendations and the Way Forward." You can read the EFUA Manifesto for Urban Agriculture and the Urban Agriculture Benefits Portfolio for important calls to action!   >> Urban Agriculture Manifesto: https://lnkd.in/e2s7t7tP >> Benefits Portfolio: https://lnkd.in/etKY4-wS It’s inspiring to see so many passionate individuals working towards creating healthy, green, and caring cities.  📸 Pictures by Lenneke Vaandrager and Mettes Fotografie.

🔍 Thesis Opportunity for WUR Students: European Health Impact Assessment Are you a student at Wageningen University with a keen interest in public health and European policy? We have an exciting thesis vacancy that focuses on the European Health Impact Assessment procedure and decision-making! 🌍 About the Project: The European Union plays a critical role in public health through its policies and legislation related to food, environment, and economics, which can have both positive and negative health side effects. Additionally, many health risks and threats cross national borders, necessitating a supranational approach. This thesis project aims to explore how the EU's impact assessment procedure influences health-related decision-making. You'll conduct a comprehensive analysis that includes: > Database analysis of impact assessment reports and guidelines. > Interviews with key stakeholders, including members of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, EU lawmakers, Parliament and Council representatives, and health NGOs. Your findings will help uncover the interactions and consequences of the impact assessment process on health decision-making and outcomes. 🎓 Prerequisites: This thesis opportunity is exclusively available for students enrolled in the MCH program at Wageningen University. If you're passionate about understanding the intersection of health and policy within the European context, this could be the perfect thesis project for you! 📩 Interested? Reach out to Marleen PM Bekker to learn more and take the next step in your academic journey!

Graag delen wij een inspirerende werkveldsessie die onlangs plaatsvond in het kader van het introductievak ‘Introductie Gezondheid & Maatschappij’. Elk jaar nodigen we afgestudeerde BMG-studenten uit om onze huidige eerstejaarsstudenten te inspireren met hun verhalen en ervaringen uit het werkveld. Zij vertellen over hun loopbaan, hun huidige functies en de waarde van hun BMG-opleiding in hun werk. Dit jaar mochten we de volgende oud-studenten verwelkomen: >> Daan Satorius, projectmedewerker Jeugd bij Trimbos-instituut >> Emmie Frasa, projectmedewerker bij JINC (Gelijke kansen richting de arbeidsmarkt) >> Martin Chaigneau, senior adviseur Gezonde Wijk bij de Gemeente Utrecht >> Yentl te Riele, beleidsmedewerker bij de Stout Groep Naast hun inspirerende verhalen, hebben de sprekers de eerstejaars uitgedaagd om mee te denken over echte casussen uit hun dagelijkse werk. Een waardevolle ervaring voor alle betrokkenen! #BMG #maatschappij #loopbaan #toekomst Kristel Polhuis, PhD, Annemarie Wagemakers

💡📢 Onze collega Marleen Bekker spreekt vandaag op het Preventie Congres 2024! Vandaag in Bunnik delen verschillende experts hun inzichten over de toekomst van preventie in Europa, en Marleen PM Bekker Bekker is één van de sprekers. Samen met andere prominente stemmen, zoals André Rouvoet, Lea Bouwmeester en Carl Verheijen, duikt ze in de belangrijkste vraagstukken van nu: > Wat kunnen we verwachten van het nieuwe kabinet als het gaat om gezondheid? > Hoe realiseren we alle mooie plannen ondanks bezuinigingen? > En... nemen we zelf het heft in handen of wachten we op Den Haag? Een gezonde samenleving is cruciaal voor alle domeinen en houdt ons zorgsysteem toekomstbestendig. Dit congres biedt waardevolle inzichten voor iedereen die werkt aan preventie en gezondheid. 🎯 Het congres wordt georganiseerd door GGD GHOR Nederland, Alles is Gezondheid en Federatie voor Gezondheid. We wensen alle aanwezigen een vruchtbare dag vol nieuwe inzichten toe!