What are we doing?
We enable the transition to a predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory (4P) health system. To do this, our main focus is on preventing or postponing diseases in a personalized way. We develop early warning systems for the onset of disease and the preservation of health, and build data-driven personalized and preventive solutions together with industry, health providers, citizens and government, in support of developments in 4P-medicine.
01 |
Collecting dataWe set up a cohort to collect an unprecedented amount of longitudinal data on the health of an individual by measuring the continuum of genotype to phenotype, next to information about lifestyle and environment. We have started with a pilot project with a cohort of 30 healthy volunteers, the I AM frontier project. |
01 |
Collecting data |
|
We set up a cohort to collect an unprecedented amount of longitudinal data on the health of an individual by measuring the continuum of genotype to phenotype, next to information about lifestyle and environment. We have started with a pilot project with a cohort of 30 healthy volunteers, the I AM frontier project. |
|
02 |
Cross-omics & data analysisBy connecting the vast amount of health data we will find new biomarkers and develop complex and individual risk profiles through which the risk of chronic or non-communicable diseases later in life can be predicted. New insights from these data will be used for the development of novel diagnostic tests for early disease detection and prevention. All data are processed in accordance with the latest European privacy legislation. |
02 |
Cross-omics & data analysis |
|
By connecting the vast amount of health data we will find new biomarkers and develop complex and individual risk profiles through which the risk of chronic or non-communicable diseases later in life can be predicted. New insights from these data will be used for the development of novel diagnostic tests for early disease detection and prevention. All data are processed in accordance with the latest European privacy legislation. |
|
03 |
A systems biology approachWe envision a personal approach, not only in the way of monitoring and measuring everyone’s health but also in the necessary customized solutions. Rather than looking at individual parameters, the entire genetics and physiological profile of a person has to be taken into account. This integrated systems biology approach provides a better understanding of the underlying biological processes resulting in increased prevention and better diagnostics. |
03 |
A systems biology approach |
|
We envision a personal approach, not only in the way of monitoring and measuring everyone’s health but also in the necessary customized solutions. Rather than looking at individual parameters, the entire genetics and physiological profile of a person has to be taken into account. This integrated systems biology approach provides a better understanding of the underlying biological processes resulting in increased prevention and better diagnostics. |
|
04 |
Empowering citizensTo increase participation in the cohort and to empower citizens, we collaborate with health professionals to give personalized feedback. This feedback will provide valuable insights into the health of the individual and enable this person to take the appropriate actions for preventing or postponing the onset of diseases. |
04 |
Empowering citizens |
|
To increase participation in the cohort and to empower citizens, we collaborate with health professionals to give personalized feedback. This feedback will provide valuable insights into the health of the individual and enable this person to take the appropriate actions for preventing or postponing the onset of diseases. |
|
Maintaining an affordable and accessible health system
Ageing population
The health landscape is changing. Several health trends push the current socio-technical regime beyond its capacity. Due to an increasingly ageing population the prevalence of chronic diseases (such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer) and multi-morbidity also increase. By 2050, WHO estimates that the number of people over 60 almost doubles and the number of people over 80 more than triples*! The accompanying shift in disease burden will have important implications for an optimal organization of our health system. The European Union Policy Forum estimates that about 70-80% of the total healthcare cost in the EU (about 700 billion Euros) is earmarked for chronic care.
Prevention of diseases
In Belgium, non-communicable diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes,…) are estimated to account for 86% of all deaths**. WHO predicts that partially preventable diseases will constitute the main contribution to the disease burden in 2025. The indirect costs, including loss of income, inability to work, informal care,… will be a substantial extra cost to society. By realizing more and better prevention, VOKA Health Community estimates that 80% of heart conditions, strokes and diabetes type 2 and 40% of cancers can be avoided***.
Prevention of diseases
In Belgium, non-communicable diseases (such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes,…) are estimated to account for 86% of all deaths**. WHO predicts that partially preventable diseases will constitute the main contribution to the disease burden in 2025. The indirect costs, including loss of income, inability to work, informal care,… will be a substantial extra cost to society. By realizing more and better prevention, VOKA Health Community estimates that 80% of heart conditions, strokes and diabetes type 2 and 40% of cancers can be avoided***.
The future is now
New technologies and digital services like artificial intelligence, improved molecular diagnostics, sensors and wearables are on the rise. At the same time better '-omics' (such as complete genome sequencing, new biomarkers for disease, …) are developed to acquire the full picture on the individual phenotype. All this will have a profound impact on monitoring and managing one’s health. At the same time, the costs of analytical technologies have decreased with increased reproducibility and reliability to levels that they are now becoming viable in a clinical setting. All this has the potential to re-think the system of prevention, diagnostics and treatment of disease.
Main contacts
From left to right: Eddy Goelen (Business developer), Bart Van Meerbergen (Business developer), Eefje Peeters (Program Manager) and Jef Hooyberghs (Scientific lead, not in picture)
*WHO (February 2018) Ageing and health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health
**WHO (2018) Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) Contry Profiles. Belgium. https://www.who.int/nmh/countries/bel_en.pdf?ua=1
***VOKA Health Community. Community assisted self-management: van belofte naar realisatie
