The seminar focuses on “a healthy start and life for all”.

The seminar offers a highly interactive programme with several high level speakers from the Erasmus MC focussing on how to accelerate the path from research and innovation to impact the Grand Societal Challenges on health.

According to European citizens, health is the most important factor for life satisfaction. While advancements in healthcare and technology allow for more care and cure as well as for a higher life expectancy, Europe is still facing significant challenges in enabling a healthy life for its inhabitants.

Environmental factors such as lifestyle, urban living, climate change and vector-borne diseases pose a continuous threat to the health and well-being of European citizens. This is strengthened by socio-economic differences between and within countries, causing disparities in health literacy and access to healthcare at national, regional and even local levels.

Health during the entire life course is determined already before conception and in the first weeks of pregnancy by the health status of the parents as well as exposure of the unborn child to harmful environmental factors. This provides us a window of opportunity to offer our next generation of citizens a healthier life.

During the seminar, scientists will present state-of-the-art knowledge on the importance of a healthy start and the impact of environmental factors on health.

You are cordially invited to join this event and engage actively in the discussion on the role of the European Union in providing a healthy start and life for all European citizens.

The presentations will be followed by drinks during which we look forward to further discussing the utilization of the research and innovation potential of academic medical centers for the years to come.

The seminar will be in English only, attendance is free of charge and by pre-registration and invitation only.

Programme

;Welcome

;Opening

Director General for Health and Food Safety at the European Commission Mr. Xavier Prats Monné

Ambassador Mr Ronald van Roeden, Deputy Permanent Representative (tbc)

Dean of the Erasmus MC, Prof. dr. Hans van Leeuwen

;A healthy start 4 all

Prof. dr. Joost Gribnau

;Is it your genetic code or your postal code that determines your health?

Eric Steegers

;Gender smart = the best care start

Dr. Jeanine Roeters van Lennep

;Future Proof Health # Climate Change and Infectious Diseases

Prof. dr. techn. Marion Koopmans DVM

;Discussion

Future role of Medical Sciences and Public Health research in tackling EU Grand Challenges

Under moderation of  the Dean of the Erasmus MC, Prof. dr. Hans van Leeuwen

Drinks

Closure