Health disparities and social economic inequality do not only arise later in life but are also determined before birth. Prevention, especially in this early stage of life, offers enormous opportunities to avoid future medical and social problems. Providing a healthy and promising start for all children and families in the Netherlands is therefore the joint mission of the Strategi Public Private Partnership (PPP) Kansrijke Start. Through innovative research initiatives, they encourage future generations to take control of their health. Healthy Start contributes to this through a Sprint Project grant.

Collaboration for a ‘Solid Start’

The strategic Public Private Partnership (PPP) Kansrijke Start is a national action program of the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS) that brings together citizens, knowledge institutions, companies, healthcare professionals, ngo’s and government agencies. By combining national expertise and experience, they ensure new initiatives. Within the national action program, collaborations ere established through four key initiatives. First, new technologies are designed, and solutions are optimized for digital care during pregnancy and birth. Second, care pathways are developed to make digital care more accessible and feasible. Additionally, solutions and models are tested in healthcare practices, and finally, training programs and toolkits are developed for national implementation and scaling.

Developments and milestones

Over the past year, the organization has held four successful consortium meetings with strong involvement from partners and experts. Additionally, a first roadmap – a strategic agenda for collaboration – has been developed, serving as a foundation for further innovations. Lastly, a project proposal has been submitted to Health~Holland, called PregnaDigit; a tele-home monitoring project that explores and develops system solutions. The goal for 2030 is to have converted 50% of the current intramural maternity care to tele-home monitoring. This means that half of the care from a healthcare institution will be shifted to home-based care.

Conclusion and follow-up

The action program has been mentioned multiple times in the knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) Health and Care 2024-2027 as one of the key projects to continue. The Strategic PPP Kansrijke Start will continue to contribute to better health promotion during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and to a healthy and promising start for all families in the Netherlands.