Work Package 6

Knowledge utilization and participation

General aim

To iteratively communicate, disseminate and implement, together with the stakeholders, the created knowledge on the maintenance of oral and metabolic health during the first 1000 days of life, through a framework of inclusive digital and non-digital means.

Objectives

• To iteratively design and develop a multi-dimensional eHealth platform dedicated to communicate and disseminate the created knowledge and interventions to the various stakeholders.
• To iteratively develop integrated digital and non-digital strategies and interventions to employ and implement the created knowledge developed with the different stakeholders.
• To iteratively evaluate both the eHealth platform (Objective 1) and integrated digital and non-digital strategies and interventions (Objective 2) developed throughout the duration of the project, providing a framework of inclusive digital and non-digital services.

Active period

Year 1-8

Members of WP6

Applicants

Inholland, AUAS, UvA-FMG, VU, AUMC, ACTA, UTwente.

Cooperation partners/co-funders

GGD, Sarphati Amsterdam, JGZ, SGF, Ivoren Kruis, Municipality of Amsterdam, NIBI, Bètapartners, Voedingscentrum, NJi, NCJ, PHAROS, Food4Smiles, Municipality of Amsterdam, PANEL, Onkolyze, Supabase, NVvK, JTV Amsterdam.

Progress

Update (December 2025)

Research and Development

In 2024–2025, WP6 concentrated on gathering insights to support the development of inclusive digital and non-digital communication tools that encourage healthy behaviors in early childhood. Our primary target groups remain parents—particularly those in vulnerable situations—and oral healthcare professionals.

The PhD research within WP6 began with a scoping review that explored existing lifestyle interventions, focusing on their characteristics and effectiveness, and comparing outcomes between the general population and individuals with a low socioeconomic position (SEP). The current research included an interview study aimed at understanding experiences and lived realities related to healthy lifestyles, as well as the role of professionals in supporting families. These interviews are conducted with families, healthcare professionals, community workers, municipal employees, and representatives from insurance companies. This broader approach is designed to map the interconnected network and identify leverage points and opportunities for strategies that align with people’s lived realities.

Several Bachelor’s and Master’s students from Inholland and the University of Twente contributed to studies on:

• The role of the environment in shaping dietary behavior (e.g., in Amsterdam-Noord)
• Needs and expectations of future educational and other professionals regarding nutrition and/or education (Voed Ze Goed)
• Strategies to improve awareness and behavior around oral health among children and families (Technasium student projects)
• Oral health professionals’ views on communication tools for low-SES families with young children (MetaHealth minor students)

In 2025, WP6 also became actively involved in the Voed Ze Goed project, developed in collaboration with WP2. This initiative supports primary schools in making informed decisions about healthy food offerings based on contextual needs. WP6 contributes by evaluating digital nutrition education tools and behavioral design strategies for implementation. Voed Ze Goed is a partnership between Inholland domains AFL, O&I, and GSW, the Dutch Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), and GGD Haaglanden. The project runs from January 2025 to June 2026, with student involvement already underway.

Following successful matchmaking, a collaboration with Technasium was established. The first student project is now running, focusing on raising awareness among high school students and parents about oral health.

Additionally, WP6 has initiated the design of an internal digital platform to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange between work packages and to gather input for developing digital and non-digital communication tools tailored to different target groups.

Dissemination of Results

• The MetaHealth minor officially launched in 2024, co-developed by the Lectoraat Medische Technologie and the Oral Health program at Inholland as a joint initiative of WP1 and WP6. As of January 2025, seven Dental Care students have completed the minor, and ten more are enrolled for the September–January 2026 term.
• A presentation was delivered at the Supporting Health by Technology 2025 conference “Applicability of behavioral design methods in the MetaHealth project”

Collaboration Across Work Packages

Inter-WP collaboration has intensified, particularly with WP1, WP2, and WP3. WP6 works closely with WP1 on the Oral Health minor, focusing on the Zaandam Oost region with student involvement. It aligns with WP2 on projects such as Voed Ze Goed and collaborates with WP3 using their developed personas and behavioral design for developing digital agent-based models.