Healthy Start
_Improving the future for new generations
We believe every child and young adult should have the opportunity to reach their full developmental potential. Within Healthy Start we explore the early-life origins of disparities in health and wellbeing from a transdisciplinary perspective. In this way we can identify early-life opportunities and co-create innovative preventive strategies with our partners, leading to better health, wellbeing and participation for future generations.
Mission
We believe that the integration of medical, social and technical sciences, combined with knowledge from and application in practice, will lead to ground-breaking solutions for complex societal challenges for youth, from conception to young adulthood.
Our goal is to realize scientific and societal impact – focused on prevention and intervention – to improve physical, mental and social health of children and adolescents. Read more about our mission and approach.
Ambitions
The first 1000 days and a resilient life course
Reducing inequality of opportunity through an optimal start for every child
Pediatric hospital of the future
Working together to develop innovative solutions for affordable pediatric care of higher quality
Digital empowerment of (children’s) physical activity
Improve quality of life and life expectancy of chronically ill children by improving active living and healthy lifestyle
Mental well-being of youth
Improve mental health and resilience of children and adolescents
Tackling juvenile delinquency and addiction
Identifying individual factors that support and motivate youth to pursue their own (long-term) goals
Youth participation and involvement
Increase involvement and participation of unheard youth in society
Sprint projects
Healthy Start Sprint projects are short-term high impact projects, financed by the Healthy Starters Fund.
Leading Team
The management team is responsible for the overarching strategy and direction of Healthy Start. They monitor the Healthy Start mission and approach in ambition projects, education and collaboration with stakeholders. The management team consists of six Academic Leads and the programme manager.
Eveline Crone
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Academic Lead Healthy Start | Professor of Developmental Neuroscience in Society
Vincent Jaddoe
Erasmus MC
Academic Lead Healthy Start | Professor of Pediatrics - Epidemiology
Maaike Kleinsmann
TU Delft
Academic Lead Healthy Start | Professor in Design for Digital Transformation
