New Healthbox helps patients with metabolic syndrome

The LUMC and NeLL have launched a HealthBox for patients with metabolic syndrome. Prof. Dr. Niels Chavannes, one of the Scientific Leaders of the scientific program Medical Delta eHealth & self-management for a healthy Society, and his research team have received a grant from NWO for the HealthBox project, which reduces the barrier to participating in lifestyle programs.

Patients with metabolic syndrome experience various symptoms related to metabolisms, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity, which increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Previous research has shown that lifestyle improvement can be an effective solution, but many people do not participate in existing lifestyle programs. The HealthBox project aims to address this issue.

Working on lifestyle improvement in an accessible way

The HealthBox allows for easy access to lifestyle improvement programs. The project provides individualized treatment plans in the home environment for everyone with metabolic syndrome. In addition to the LUMC and NeLL, the TU Delft, University of Twente, Hogeschool Utrecht, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS), Ancora Health, Unilabs, Pharos, and the Diabetes Fund are also involved.

The HealthBox was designed in collaboration with patients and healthcare providers and consists of a virtual coach and home monitoring equipment. The program also connects participants to existing local lifestyle activities. By adopting the HealthBox to the individual needs of each user, it becomes easier to improve their health.

Care in one's own living environment

The zorg in eigen leefomgeving (Care in one's own living environment) program contributes to the health and self-reliance of citizens by conducting research and developing and implementing technology in their living environment. This technology can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, as well as shift care and support to the individual's living environment.

The NWO subsidy round contributes to the Knowledge and Innovation Agenda (KIA) for Health and Care. The mission that this call stems from has two goals for 2040: the first is that all Dutch people will live at least five years longer in good health, and the second is that the health differences between the lowest and highest socioeconomic groups will have decrease by 30%.

Source: LUMC