From fast and cheap to sustainable and slow, many consumers have a growing interest in pursuing a healthy lifestyle. However obesity is a growing problem, especially amongst children and adolescents. Unhealthy food is widely available at rock-bottom prices and an active membership of a sports club costs a lot of money. The gap between educated and privileged citizens and less fortunate members of society is growing. This is unacceptable, according to executive councillor Victor Everhardt from Utrecht. He and other opinion leaders, such as Machteld Huber (Institute for Positive Health), discussed this dilemma and its possible solutions with the audience during the first session of a five-evening series on healthcare innovations, organised by NRC Live and co-hosted by Health~Holland.

The second NRC Live session addressed the technological branch of the sector. Technological developments and capabilities in healthcare have evolved considerably. The advance of medical technology offers opportunities to not only improve healthcare, but to make it more efficient and cheaper as well. However, paving the way for innovation and building a healthy society requires the collaboration of all parties according to Martijn de Bie (Verscentrum Nederland). During this session the cross-compliances and challenges for the development and implementation of eHealth were discussed. One important conclusion was drawn: to further pave the way for technological innovation in healthcare, we must co-create with the patients. Innovations must be realised not from a medical perspective but from a patient perspective.

Some lessons on patient participation can be found in the report of the PatientTOP.

Three more inspiring sessions on ‘Organising smarter and better’, ‘New business models and finance’ and ‘The Great Care Debate’ will follow. During these Thursday night sessions, innovators, visionaries and leaders will engage in a debate about important decisions, obstructions and opportunities. Sign up and participate! Top Sector LSH hopes to meet you there.click to edit...

BIO Europe Spring, one of the largest biotech partnering conferences in Europe, will come to The Netherlands in 2018. The annual conference offers companies and organisations active in life sciences & health the perfect platform for collaboration and growth. The partnership system of the BIO Europe conferences enables you to identify, approach and meet potential partners, customers or financiers.

Top Sector LSH is really looking forward to the upcoming BIO Europe and will soon bring information.