Healthier lifestyle and living environment
The average resident of Groningen lives less healthily than the rest of the Netherlands. With a province-wide approach against overweight, the Vital Groningen project focuses on tailored solutions in the local environment. It encourages residents of Groningen to work together with professionals and local initiatives to raise awareness, promote healthier behavior, and create a healthy living environment in neighborhoods and villages.
Collaboration across the province
Starting in 2026, new forms of collaboration between healthcare, welfare, lifestyle, sports, and education will begin in all Groningen municipalities. The approach targets adults with (risk of) overweight and strengthens cooperation among general practitioners, practice nurses, dietitians, lifestyle coaches, physiotherapists, pharmacists, neighborhood sports coaches, welfare coaches, and local initiatives. Students from MBO, HBO, and WO also learn about healthy lifestyles and living environments and contribute to the approach in villages and neighborhoods.
The collaboration focuses on three pillars:
- Residents receive stronger lifestyle support through guidance within a well-coordinated chain of healthcare and welfare professionals.
- Vouchers help residents make their living environment healthier and thus prevent overweight.
- Students from various study programs learn and work together with residents and professionals from the neighborhood on practical solutions around health and lifestyle.
What does Groningen gain?
The regional approach aligns with the daily lives of residents and offers more room for customization. By connecting healthcare and welfare, residents receive support that fits their situation. Local initiatives gain new energy and resources. Students also bring in knowledge and learn about what works in practice. This way, the regional approach contributes to healthier, livable, and future-proof villages and neighborhoods.
A healthy Groningen
Vital Groningen is part of the Health Implementation Program of the province of Groningen and is a collaboration between the Healthy Groningen network, including the Groningen municipalities, GGD Groningen, welfare organizations, DoKNoord, UMCG, Menzis, WIJS, and regional knowledge and educational institutions (RUG, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Noorderpoort, Alfa College, Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health).
