L4Change: Living Lab for Lasting Lifestyle Change: Digital and human-centered approaches to cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health
Research line: Tailored Lifestyle: an integrated data-driven approach to lifestyle and living environment // Living with Disease
Funding Scheme: Health~Holland (Top Sector LSH) PPP Call 2025 – Tailored Lifestyle programme
Lifestyle-related diseases are increasing in the Netherlands and worldwide. Citizens with a low socio-economic position (SEP), people from certain ethnic backgrounds, and older adults face a higher risk of cardiometabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and these conditions are becoming more prevalent in an ageing society. While lifestyle is central to prevention and treatment, sustainable behaviour change and long-term adherence remain difficult to achieve—especially in vulnerable groups.
L4Change develops and implements AI-driven personalised digital health tools to support healthier lifestyles across physical activity, nutrition, mental health, and sleep. The project is organised around two Living Labs (Amsterdam and Eindhoven), where citizens, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and technology developers co-create and test inclusive and practical solutions that combine digital tools with neighbourhood-based social and physical activities.
Objectives and Route to Impact
Objectives
Develop and implement AI-driven personalised digital tools to support sustainable lifestyle change for cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health in vulnerable citizens (low SEP, multiethnic backgrounds, and older adults), using two Living Labs (Amsterdam and Eindhoven) for co-creation and participatory design.
Route to impact
Deliver accessible and affordable lifestyle support by combining digital technologies (wearables, apps, dashboards and AI-driven feedback) with community-based activities and human-centred design. By engaging end-users and stakeholders directly, the project aims to reduce barriers such as low health literacy, limited digital access, trust, and self-confidence—contributing to prevention, reduced health disparities, and a stronger foundation for implementation and future scale-up.
Methods and Deliverables
Methods
The project is structured into six interconnected work packages, combining (1) data-driven subgroup modelling and personas using existing cohorts, (2) integration of digital tools and development of tailored feedback mechanisms, (3) a citizen-centric data space using SOLID technologies and consent support, (4) co-creation with citizens and stakeholders, (5) Living Lab pilots in Amsterdam and Eindhoven, and (6) project management and dissemination.
Key Deliverables
Two Living Labs as proof-of-concept; an evaluated Living Lab toolkit (integrated technologies and feedback mechanisms); a SOLID-based data space with citizen-controlled accounts and citizen-facing infographics; personas and citizen journeys; tailored intervention prototypes; scientific outputs (including open access publications, theses) and a symposium for stakeholders.
Contribution to Collaboration
L4Change is built as a broad public–private partnership that connects universities, medical and clinical practice, and multiple SMEs delivering digital health technologies and behaviour change expertise. The Living Lab set-up creates a shared, real-world environment where citizens and stakeholders co-create and test integrated solutions, while partners jointly develop interoperable tools and data infrastructure to support personalised feedback, implementation, and future scaling.
Team
- Natal van Riel — Eindhoven University of Technology
- Pieter van Gorp — Eindhoven University of Technology
- Annemarie Wagemakers — Wageningen University & Research
- Desiree Lucassen — Wageningen University & Research
- Maarten Soeters — Amsterdam University Medical Centers
- Louis Lieverse — Maxima MC
- Henk Stapert — smartQare
- Victor Kallen — Symfon.AI
- Gerjan van Stralen — QR-FIT
- Simone Krouwer — Behaviour Club
- Madelon Bracke — Clear.bio