Societal issues

Once we are aware of the type of knowledge needed, we will be able to bring important developments to the attention of the right people and transfer qualitatively good, relevant as well as applicable knowledge to everyday practice. In this way, we will have a clear impact on improving the health of, and care for, everybody.

We currently face many issues in care, health and welfare. As a connector of knowledge and organisations, ZonMw focuses on current issues such as appropriate care, healthy living environment  and COVID-19.

We define a healthy living environment as a physical environment that makes a healthy lifestyle possible, with exercise, relaxation and a healthy diet. A healthy living environment is accessible, safe, achievable and sustainable. Our living environment can positively contribute to our health by facilitating healthier behaviour and by limiting exposure to health risks.

> Read more about Healthy living environment

To render care future-proof, we need to facilitate a transition towards appropriate care. This is a societal challenge that the care sector and society will have to tackle together. Appropriate care is about health instead of illness, offers the right care at the right place, is value driven (of good quality, effective and with the efficient deployment of people, resources and materials) and develops together with and around the patient.

> Read more about Appropriate care

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has had enormous global implications for public health, society and the economy. A lot of research was, and still is, necessary to develop knowledge about vaccines, care for patients, prevention, long COVID and the consequences of COVID-19. But also how can we prevent and control possible future pandemics? And which knowledge development and consolidation of strengths are needed to better prepare society for future pandemics?

> Read more about research into COVID-19