Case Study: A Man-Made Blue Zone in the Netherlands

This case analysis shows how inter-organizational collaborations can lead to improvements in policymaking and real-world outcomes. It looks at how the Healthy Ageing Network Northern Netherlands (HANNN) was created as a 'triple-helix' network organization with partners in research institutes, government bodies, and businesses.

How can more collaborations like this lead to sustainable innovation for societies?

Implementation Of Healthy Aging Policy

Obviously, it has taken and still takes considerable efforts to implement Healthy Aging into the veins of our organization, to involve professionals that are active in care, education, and/or research, and to define specific goals that are based on the Healthy Aging concept. The dedicated Healthy Aging Team, as well as teams within the communication department and the Center for Development and Innovation, are continuously active in lobbying and branding within and outside the UMCG, organizing meetings and lectures. They initiate activities such as Healthy Aging in the Clinic, interactions with private partners, and new educational programmes such as the Summer School on Healthy Aging.