How do you improve the quality of life of people with a chronic disease? That is what the Living with Disease theme investigates.

Numerous studies have shown that lifestyle interventions and customised advice can greatly benefit the health of the (growing) number of chronically ill people. Diabetics, for example, are a great example of how a different lifestyle can significantly reduce, or eliminate, the need for medication. And we see that ex-cancer patients who exercise more and eat more healthily, feel better than fellow sufferers who do not.

The goal of the Living with Disease theme is to contribute to decreasing the incidence and prevalence of disease by 2055, and to contribute to improving quality of life for those living with disease and/or undergoing treatment. It addresses common diseases and disabilities with increasing incidence and prevalence in all ages, with an initial focus on cancer, obesity, cardiometabolic diseases (including diabetes), neurodevelopmental decline, and mental health. The societal challenges addressed in this research line include lifestyle changes among patients and the need for more research on women’s health.

Related Projects

• Fiber2Heal. Studying possibilities for personalized dietary advice for appropriate fiber intake for patients with large bowel cancer.
• Savor the Flavor. Investigating the relationship between the sensory profile of older adults with Olfactory dysfunction and their dietary behaviors, and how innovative tools can stimulate improvement of diet quality to prevent noncommunicable diseases.

Want to work together?

Are you a student or researcher at Eindhoven University of Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University or Utrecht University Medical Centre, and would you like to join our research within the theme Living with Disease? Or do you have an idea for a new project? Please contact us.