An introduction to Aletta

We are Aletta Thought for action - Together for more healthy years

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of and UMCG Table of contents

About Aletta To Explore To Educate To Resolve Read about Aletta’s legacy, Scientific Director Jochen The Aletta Jacobs School of For many practice- how her DNA lives on in us, Mierau explains the aim of Public Health has the oriented issues, science and see the most the Aletta Jacobs School of ambition to create an offers relevant insights important events of her Public Health: facilitating impact in the field of and solutions. The Aletta life on the Aletta Jacobs things that work, and thus public health by gathering, Jacobs School of Public timeline. achieving more healthy expanding and passing Health offers advisory years. on skills. projects via Aletta Advice.

Theme: Theme: Theme: Explore Capability Justice Resilience Collaboration

Theme: Theme: Sustainability Participation

P04 P06 P08 P10 P1 P12 P13 P14 P15 P16 P18 P20 P22

A vision of Aletta #1 A vision of Aletta #2 A vision of Aletta #3 Peter de Jong’s story about life. Why did Elena Agachi leave Margreet de Graaf explains why (Not really about staying alive). the Republic of Moldova for health can never be taken for Groningen? granted.

Are you Aletta?

In this brochure we explain what the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health stands for. Will you be a part of our movement, and help us realise our dream?

Please contact us E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +31 50 3637098

rug.nl/aletta

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the and UMCG About Aletta

Everyone has A committed their own talent movement

Thought Aletta’s legacy Aletta’s DNA “The issue for action - lives on in us Together Born in a small village in the province of Groningen, of justice A lasting for more Sincerely The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health - a joint difference healthy Aletta Henriëtte Jacobs (February 9, 1854 – August 10, initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG - is 1929) was the first woman who successfully graduated healthy the proud flag-bearer of healthy ageing in the northern in (from the University of Groningen). She demands years! . Rooted in fundamental research, we became the first female physician in the Netherlands, actively convey our knowledge and expertise through accomplished much in the field of medical care for the education, consultancy and integral collaborations. a sense of Unhindered by the daily debate, every person in the poor, and was a famous women’s liberation activist. In her honour we named our school after her: the Aletta northern Netherlands who wants to, can contribute to Jacobs School of Public Health. We keep her memory, a healthier world, together with us. This is how we keep duty” Extraordinarily Aletta’s DNA alive. legacy, ideas and values alive by continuously striving flexible for more healthy years for everyone.

Discover the Aletta timeline — Aletta Jacobs — Aletta Jacobs

Aletta’s Future

1854 1879 1883 1903 1919 2018 On February 9 Aletta Jacobs On March 8, Aletta obtains het Aletta gives the first impulse for the Aletta is elected president On August 10, Aletta Jacobs dies On March 15 the Aletta Jacobs is born in Sappemeer, doctor’s degree, and goes to struggle for women’s suffrage in the of the Dutch Association for in the Dutch city of Baarn, at the School of Public Health is Groningen (NL), as the eight of . She comes into contact Netherlands. She serves the city of Women’s Suffrage. She keeps age of 75. officially founded. From this mo- eleven children in the Jewish with British social reformers, with a request to be placed that position until the right for ment on, we focus on the future. family of country doctor other female doctors, and the on the electoral list for the upcoming women to vote is embedded in Which feats are we going to add Abraham Jacobs and women’s suffrage movement. elections, but meets with refusal three the Dutch Constitution, in 1919. to Aletta’s timeline together? Anna de Jongh. times in a row. What can we contribute to Alet- 1899 1915 1915 ta’s legacy? How much impact 1871 1880 will we generate in the context With special permission of the Aletta opens a medical practice During the Second Boer War In this second year of the First In September Aletta meets of Aletta’s dream? Dutch liberal minister in Amsterdam, gives free (1899-1902), Aletta takes the World War, Aletta takes the with the American president Discover on the next pages how Thorbecke, Aletta is admitted consultations for underprivileged fate of the Afrikaners to heart, initiative for the organisation , and proposes we plan to build Aletta’s future, as a student of Medicine at the women, holds courses, advocates condemning in fierce terms of the International Women’s to him to install a League of together with you. University of Groningen, initially the desirability of the use of the concentration camps that Congress in . The Neutral Countries that could for a trial period of one year. On contraceptives, and introduces the British set up for the Boers’ adopted resolutions are offered mediate in ending the war. his deathbed, Thorbecke grants the pessary (that until then women and children. During the to the heads of state of both It is said that Wilson based her the right to also take exams. was used to support prolapsed First World War (1914-1918) the belligerent and the neutral his fourteen points for the wombs) as such. she also devotes herself to countries. This brings Aletta foundation of the League of peace, both in and outside the international fame. Nations on that proposal. Netherlands.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG “He who Visions of Aletta #1 overcomes If Aletta really is who she says she is, I want to others be her ambassador

is strong; I grew up in a warm family, where a healthy My name is Peter de Jong and my story is about life. attitude to life was paramount. My three brothers Not really about staying alive. and I were spoon-fed with sports: football, tennis, That I can tell it, is due to my participation in Lifelines. You gymnastics, volleyball, skating, skiing... certainly know that initiative: research among people in the he who northern Netherlands on growing old healthier. People’s We did it all. data are being collected, and that is extremely valuable, When we had a bit of a setback, our parents helped us because this enables scientists worldwide to continue to overcomes through it. “A person can do more than he thinks”, was my do fundamental research. mother’s motto. And my father’s: “Ik knibbelje allinnich My data showed that I was ill. Fortunately, I was diagnosed in foar God”. (I kneel only for God). time, and I could be helped adequately, so I have overcome Working on my health was more a matter of course the disease. Because I contributed to the quality of medical himself than a merit. Until 2007, when I was diagnosed with a science, I myself immediately benefited from the state of chronic form of leukaemia. Suddenly I became very aware that same medical science at that time. of my mortality. In 2012 I turned out to be resistant to I am still being checked every year. That makes me feel the I used. My only salvation was a stem cell safe. That’s one thing, but a healthy lifestyle is of the is mighty” transplant. My brother appeared to be the ideal donor. utmost importance, of course. I already lived consciously, When I was cured, my condition had to be rebuilt from but I improved my lifestyle even further. Staying healthy is scratch. In the gym where I worked on that, there was something you have to keep working on. a quote on the wall that I will never forget: “He who I see it as my task to make others aware of this. overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is mighty”. Together with my parents’ life mottos, that text was a great inspiration during my recovery period. Now I look upon that experience as a turning point, a I wish for Aletta that her movement becomes deepening in thinking and doing. I wouldn’t have missed manifest in the northern Netherlands and that it for the world. together with existing initiatives even more impact can be created in the context of ‘more healthy years’. If Aletta really is who she says she is, I want to be her ambassador.

Although he was born in Groningen, 58 years ago, Peter de Jong is of Frisian origin. He lives in the city of Sneek, and works for the municipality of Súdwest-Fryslân. His colleagues see him as ambassador of a lifestyle awareness movement within the organisation.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG To Explore Theme: Capability

Program: Healthy Lifestyle

prof. dr. ir. Koert van Ittersum prof. dr. Koen Lemmink Faculty of Economics and Business Faculty of Medical Sciences

n M Theme: Sustainability io e t th a o lu d a 2 Program: Antimicrobial Resistence v : E C o & n n c prof. dr. Alex Friedrich ig e s p t Faculty of Medical Sciences e s D & n o C i u t l n t Theme: Justice e u v r e e r s Program: Health Inequality P o : f 1 H

d prof. mr. dr. Brigit Toebes dr. Viola Angelini e o

a

h l Faculty of Law Faculty of Economics and Business t t

e h

M Theme: Resilience

Program: Mental Wellbeing

dr. Katherine Stroebe dr. Catharina Hartman Faculty of Behavioural & Social Scences Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG

Theme: Participation

Program: Work & Health

prof. dr. Sandra Brouwer prof. dr. Leo van Wissen Faculty of Medical Sciences Faculty of Spatial Sciences

M eth is od 3: Data & Analys

What started out as a whisper in an office in the late spring of 2016, has now come to fruition as a network of researchers and partners with one single goal: more healthy years. With the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health, we aim to bring our joint ambitions to the next level by enabling collaboration among different fields and facilitating engagement Jochen Mierau Scientific Director Aletta Jacobs with societal and academic partners – locally and regionally, as well as globally. School of Public Health: We do not set out to create something new, but to facilitate things that work, like: • meet-ups in which researchers from different fields interact; ‘We want to • education programmes in which the breadth of public health is viewed from all imaginable vantage points; facilitate • close collaborations with societal and academic partners in which a joint vision is things that central, and work’ • initiatives that come up from the grass roots, and only need Aletta as fertilizer.

Our aim is to achieve more healthy years, together with you. Together we are Aletta.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG Theme: Capability Theme: Sustainability

Every day we make decisions that are decisive for our health. The lifestyle choices that we make prof. dr. ir. Koert van Ittersum with regard to diet, smoking behaviour, sleep behaviour and daily exercise are influenced by prof. dr. Alex Friedrich The issue of sustainability Faculty of Economics and Business both psychological and environmental factors. Thus, the degree to which we are healthy and Faculty of Medical Sciences The increasing demand for healthcare, rising healthcare and medicine costs and technological fit is a consequence of our so-called health capacity. How competent we are in making healthy developments that are succeeding each other at breakneck speed, are putting pressure on the choices, logically has a considerable impact on whether or not we age healthily. Dutch healthcare system. Yet the greatest challenge of our modern Western society is not in the organisation of our healthcare system. The spreading of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the greatest threat to current public health; a social sustainability issue for which we need to find a sustainable solution. Better yesterday than today. prof. dr. Koen Lemmink Faculty of Medical Sciences

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG Theme: Justice Theme: Resilience

It is widely acknowledged that large socio-economic health inequalities exist, both within and Originally the word resilience was used to describe the capacity of a material or system to prof. mr. dr. Brigit Toebes between countries. Major contributors to these health inequalities are the conditions in which dr. Katherine Stroebe return to equilibrium after displacement (Norris et al., 2008). Nowadays resilience is generally Faculty of Law people are born, grow, live, work and age. While there is broad consensus that these differences Faculty of Behavioural & Social Sciences considered the ability of individuals, communities, organisations or governance structures in health are unfair, there is a lack of understanding, knowledge and insight into how they can (such as local governments and health aid organisations) to adapt to aversive events and return best be addressed by governments and the broader society. to their pre-event equilibrium. Within the theme Resilience we focus on public health and distinguish the following levels of resilience which are also covered within public health research across various faculties at the University of Groningen: dr. Viola Angelini dr. Catharina Hartman a. Individual level resilience Faculty of Economics and Business Faculty of Medical Sciences/UMCG b. Community level resilience c. Organisational level resilience d. Resilience at the level of governance

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG Explore Collaboration Become our partner

The issue health – and specifically public health – can Aletta’s Partners count on an increasing interest of a growing number We can’t do it alone, and neither can you. So of people and organisations, all from different it’s of the utmost importance that as many perspectives. But the offer is fragmented and lacks partners as possible join in to increase the focus. The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health content of our ‘umbrella’ and to make this aims to be ‘the umbrella’, the connecting factor. content relevant to people and society as We combine our partners (and their specific knowledge and soon as possible. skills) and funding in an integral practice-driven approach, thus allowing for more available time for relevant research. Academic partners We speak the language of researchers and know what is Our academic partners are knowledge in- required for practical implementation. That’s how we fill the stitutes (higher professional education and gap between theory and practice and work together towards scientific education) that commit them­ ‘more healthy years’. selves to the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health. With our academic partners we Join us focus on content, strengthen our scientific Discover your opportunities to contribute to Aletta’s growing roots, and open up a broader substantive movement. There are several options to connect your network. knowledge and skills to the network. Contact us, and we’ll inform you in detail, also about how you too can benefit. Societal partners With these partners from both the public Let’s generate more healthy years… and the private sector we focus on develop- Let’s become Aletta… ment and implementation, work on (partner Together! specific) research and in a wider context on concrete projects that contribute to ‘more Please contact us at [email protected] healthy years’. Theme: Participation

Aletta’s mission is to achieve more healthy years for everyone. Participation - that is: prof. dr. Sandra Brouwer participating in society and playing an active role in social activities - has an important The Aletta Research Fund Faculty of Medical Sciences influence on our health. On the other hand, our health is an important predictor with regard We have our own research fund, dedicated to all relevant and to whether or not we can actively participate in society. This interaction is central to the theme multidisciplinary research in the field of public health. Participation.

Want to know more? Please contact us at [email protected]. We’ll be happy to tell you everything you want to know. prof. dr. Leo van Wissen Faculty of Spatial Sciences

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG “I came to Visions of Aletta #2 Groningen I was drawn by two big passions: because of its mathematics and health

strong presence When I was born, my mother was doing her PhD My name is Elena Agachi. Originally, I am from the Re- in Medicine. By the age of three, I could recite by public of Moldova. heart whole pieces of her thesis, which seemed to After finishing my high school back home, I decided to come amuse people a lot. But apart from being funny, to Groningen, to the Faculty of Economics and Business, in the health which is where I pursued my bachelor’s and master’s it was a big part of my childhood. I often used to sit through my mother’s lectures or go over her degrees in econometrics. I chose Groningen because of its patient files together with her. strong presence in the health economics sector. economics Coming across the health economics side of our faculty Moreover, her background reflected a lot on the lifestyle was nothing less than an eye-opener. Working in this area of my whole family: a healthy diet and exercise was our lets me combine my passion for hard numbers with my daily routine. While health was very important to me, and innate caring nature for social issues like public health. sector” a big part of my life, it was also something that I felt to be I hope to carry on working on health-related topics, and too familiar with. Trying to discover my own interests and this is where Aletta can open new doors for me. Having defining my own self, I started exploring other domains, the chance to collaborate with the various stakeholders in which is where mathematics got me. the field creates amazing opportunities. Also, this allows Perhaps because I was good at it, or perhaps because research to keep on track with reality and work directly I wanted to do something that was new in my family, I on implementing findings from which entire communities became drawn into the analytical world. Therefore, when can benefit. deciding which degree to pursue, I chose for econometrics. This is Aletta’s giving and taking potential. And besides Nevertheless, the passion for health has always remained that, she promises to be a source of knowledge and a big part of me.. connection that delivers a community which together can achieve a lot more than its individual parts.

I believe in Aletta as the innovative movement that enables us to help each other by challenging reality and working on future needs. I want to be a part of this movement, and I hope that you will join me.

Elena has left Moldova five years ago to become a student of econometrics in Groningen. She is 23, and currently starting her graduate studies, driven by her passion of mathematical models and optimization applied to healthcare.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG To educate

Passing on knowledge and skills And at this moment in time, we are working on a multidisciplinary Minor for policy makers of the future. We hope to open this education programme in September 2019. The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health has the ambition to create an impact in the field of public health. Not just by gathering knowledge and expanding our skills, but also by Also, in the fall of 2018, we will start a Dutch-language course Health Economics and passing them on. Healthcare Management that provides up-to-date knowledge on the economic and business aspects of healthcare at an academic level. The health care landscape develops and changes constantly. That’s why it is essential for professionals and managers in (public) healthcare to continuously broaden their More information knowledge, gain new knowledge and develop their competences. Would you like to know more about these education programmes or the possibilities for tailor-made programmes for your own organisation? Realising this, we offer various executive education programs for current policy makers. Please contact us at [email protected]. We do this together with our partners ZorgpleinNoord and the University of Groningen Business School.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG “Unapplied Visions of Aletta #3 knowledge Investing in a healthy mind and body takes doesn’t get us effort... Each and any further, every day.

Health has to do with genetics and education. My name is Margreet de Graaf, and I believe in pro- doesn’t mean These are the variables with which everyone gress based on research. enters life. But health is also design and therefore In my practice I see that the application of knowledge often epigenetics. You have to do and leave things for it. lags behind the state of science. With the Aletta Jacobs that we grow As long as I can remember, health – and the lack School of Public Health, the University of Groningen and of it – plays an important role in my life. In my the UMCG have taken the important step of combining opinion, health can never be taken for granted. fundamental research and knowledge from various fields for the benefit of public health. Unapplied knowledge older healthier Where one person can be lucky genetically, another can doesn’t get us any further, doesn’t mean that we grow simply be less fortunate. And sometimes a healthy body older healthier together. It’s precisely in the application does not get the attention from his or her owner that of this knowledge that the joint Municipal Health Services it needs to stay healthy. I know the examples from both (as knowledge and implementation organisations in the together” sides very intimately. I have seen what it can lead to, and I area of public health on a regional scale) can make a big, wouldn’t wish that on anyone. positive difference. For, by and with municipalities. For making healthy choices, we need knowledge. I learn That’s why I am pleased that the three northern Municipal something new every day, but especially in the area of Health Services can join forces with Aletta, so that health I remain curious. I like to read about progress in the connection between research and practice is well research and every now and then I subject myself to an established. Everyone deserves a long, healthy and safe investigation. I’m keen on my health and even so I notice life. The northern Municipal Health Services, are happy to that unhealthy behaviour happens almost unnoticed. actively contribute to this, together with Aletta. For example, I noticed that drinking coffee in the evening affects the quality of my sleep. So, after dinner I don’t drink my delicious espresso. I admit I wish for Aletta that her inner circle of her own that that stays difficult. One thing is certain: investing in researchers connects seamlessly with her outer a healthy mind and a healthy body takes effort… Each and circle (researchers, doctors, nurses and policy every day. advisors of the Municipal Health Services and other health partners), with the rest of society and with people like you and me who want to enjoy as many healthy years as possible.

Margreet de Graaf is the director of the Municipal Health Services Safety Region Fryslân. It’s her dream job, she says, in a very special organisation with enthusiastic and involved employees and room for everyone to do what they are there for. Freedom in solidarity.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG Subjective, societal issue

Evaluation and Quantification Aletta advice adjustment and deepening of the issue Our wide network enables us to analyse any issue from different perspectives. This allows us to finetune subjective, societal demands quickly and effectively, and apply our scientific insights, knowledge and skills to them in a Development targeted manner. Thus, we can prevent the and implemen­ Formulating customer from eventually obtaining a solution tation of action a supported that does not fully fit in with his question. plan and question We link the issue to the most recent scientific intervention insights and facts. This way solutions are measures created that are based on proven concepts, instead of on suspicions. Result: science that works quickly and effectively, instead of Development Matching large-scale, long-term, multi-year research and priorisation the probem programmes. of programme with existing and/or policy scientific options insights

To resolve Broad involvement Our clients and their needs are always our starting point. In addition to scientific roots, co- creation, living labs, citizen participation, stakeholder analysis, customer journeys, and so Answering questions from the field on, are part of the standard equipment of Aletta Advice. with our integral approach Partner network Because Aletta Advice is embedded in the network of the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Public Health issues can count on an increasing interest of a growing number of people and organisations, all from Health, we can also switch quickly and adequately, when linking the right parties. For different perspectives. But the offer is fragmented and lacks focus. The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health aims to be instance, for financing constructions, business consortiums, subsidy offices, and so on. the connecting factor and to provide an integral approach when answering questions from the field. ‘Together for more healthy years’ is broader concept than health advice only.

We believe this to be the best way to tackle complex issues regarding Public Health. Companies, municipalities, institutions One stop shop and the like are increasingly confronted with (public) health issues. In addition, there are health differences between Aletta Advice offers you all the scientific knowledge of the University of Groningen and the regions. How do we deal with e-health applications and business-economic underpinning of prevention concepts? UMCG via one counter and one contact person (who brings all the necessary knowledge to For many of these practice-oriented issues, science offers relevant insights and solutions that contribute to more healthy the table). years now and in the long run. That’s why Aletta also offers advisory projects via Aletta Advice.

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG “The issue justice demands a sense of duty” — Aletta Jacobs

Can you - and would you like to - contribute actively to the realisation of our dream ‘Thought for action – Together for more healthy years’?

Please contact us E: [email protected] P: +31 50 3637098

www.rug.nl/aletta

The Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health is a joint initiative of the University of Groningen and UMCG