Health

Theme

Health in the Netherlands is under pressure. Our subjectively experienced health is declining, the health gap between rich and poor remains persistent, ageing is leading to a growing demand for care, and young people are having a tough time mentally. At the same time, healthcare vacancies remain unfilled, the availability of medication is problematic, and healthcare costs continue to rise. Solutions are being sought, for example, in artificial intelligence and new biotechnology.

To what extent the promises of emerging health technologies will be fulfilled, and who will benefit most of them, remains to be seen. What role technological innovation can play in tackling the challenges in the field of health depends on how it is managed. Curing patients requires a specific approach to the deployment of science, technology, and innovation; keeping people healthy for longer requires efforts in a different direction.

Through research and dialogue, the Rathenau Instituut aims to contribute to timely democratic decision- and policy-making regarding the deployment of science, technology, and innovation in the field of healthcare. Within the Health theme, we have focused in recent years on the socially responsible development of biotechnology. We will continue to do so, but we will also explore how research and innovation can contribute, not so much to curing disease but to promoting health.

Gezondheid-Rathenau-Instituut.jpg Baby Builder, installatie van kunstenaar Bertrand Burgers op de Dutch Design Week 2021. Bezoekers kiezen de huidskleur van een virtuele baby.
Baby Builder by artist Bertrand Burgers at the Dutch Design Week 2021. (Photo: Edwin Smits)

Programmes

  • Towards responsible medical biotechnology

    In the coming years, the use of AI will alter the pace and methods of biotechnology research. AI can be used, for example, to develop drugs targeted at specific genetic profiles. Pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible will lead to new questions about what is socially desirable, and how these societal interests can be incorporated into the development of biotechnology.

    Een vader loopt met zijn kinderen door een bloemenveld

  • Innovation and technology to sustain health

    How can science, technology, and social innovation – in addition to technical innovation – contribute to the more holistic and biopsychosocial promotion of health? And how can we position people – individuals, patients, and also care professionals – at the centre of this?

    Een dokter zit op de bank met een oudere man terwijl ze bespreken wat er op een tablet staat