What does it take to move from a system focused on curing illness to one that prevents illness? For Dr. Claudia Egher, postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University, this question is at the heart of her research at the Institute for Preventive Health (i4PH). Unlike most research projects within i4PH, Claudia’s role is not tied to one specific theme or field study. Instead, she has been invited to take a broader, reflective position—helping i4PH think about how to further develop the content and strategic direction of its research programme. Her work will support in identifying opportunities, clarifying ambitions, and creating space for new connections and collaborations.
Since joining the i4PH team in December 2024, Claudia has been exploring how we can transition toward a more preventive health system—one that better serves people, communities, and the planet. With a background in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and medical sociology, she brings a unique lens to her research.
“I’m fascinated by wicked problems that require novel, interdisciplinary, co-creative approaches and that enable me to make even a very small contribution towards the transformations our society so badly needs right now,” she says. “Preventive health touches on so many aspects of how we live and relate to others and our planet—it’s a perfect case to study.”
Mapping pathways to change
Together with Prof. dr. Wouter Boon and Dr. Susan van Hees, Claudia is working on developing transition pathways for each of the four key research areas of i4PH: Healthy Start, Preserving Health, Living with Disease and Health@Home.
These pathways will outline visions for the future and map out possible routes to achieving systemic change in each area. Importantly, they won’t just be theoretical: ”These preventive health transition pathways are meant to describe different avenues and approaches that could fuel, accelerate, and strengthen the envisioned system changes in the Netherlands. They are also intended to encourage reflection on how the Institute 4 Preventive Health can best position itself in relation to relevant actors to both consolidate its position and expedite desired changes.”
Listening, Learning, Co-Creating
To build these pathways, Claudia’s project takes an exploratory, qualitative approach. She’s conducting literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, and organizing focus groups and co-creation workshops to better understand how various stakeholders perceive preventive health and its future. “We want to uncover not only what the future could look like, but also what might help or hinder us in getting there—and which trade-offs people are willing to make.”
”We want to uncover not only what the future could look like, but also what might help or hinder us in getting there—and which trade-offs people are willing to make.”
Co-creation lies at the heart of this process. Claudia is involving researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, regulators, municipalities, community representatives, and commercial partners in her research. “It’s essential to bring in all these voices—preventive health isn’t the responsibility of one actor or one sector. It’s relational, and solutions have to be developed collectively.”
Seeing Opportunities in Challenges
While the project is still in its early stages, Claudia is already seeing opportunities where others might see only challenges. She emphasizes the need to rethink how we define and measure success. “We need new assessment tools that can capture long-term, complex impacts across different domains and stakeholders,” Claudia explains. This also includes finding better ways to demonstrate the value of emerging technologies and everyday health innovations, so they resonate with the diverse people and communities they’re meant to serve.
”If we can inspire trust and collaboration across boundaries, that’s already a huge step. And I’m hopeful—there’s so much commitment and creativity among stakeholders already.”
Ultimately, Claudia hopes the project will lead to shared visions and real momentum. “If we can inspire trust and collaboration across boundaries, that’s already a huge step. And I’m hopeful—there’s so much commitment and creativity among stakeholders already.”
How you can get involved
In the coming months, Claudia will be diving into data collection and stakeholder engagement. She invites anyone involved in Preventive Health to get in touch: “Whether it’s participating in an interview or sharing materials you think might help, your input is incredibly valuable.”
With her research, Claudia is helping to lay the groundwork for a healthier future—and showing how systemic change starts with listening, learning, and working together. At the institute 4 Preventive Health we are very excited to see how Claudia’s findings will reflect in our programme in the coming years.
Want to get in touch with Claudia? Please contact us.