Fri, 12/12/2025 - 09:00 to 16:30
Description
How can following people’s health journeys over decades transform the policies that shape our healthcare systems?
You are warmly invited to the study day of the Health Information Service of Sciensano, ‘Study Day Health Information and Policy – How can population health cohorts shape the future of health policy?’, taking place on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Pacheco Auditorium of the Finance Tower in Brussels, for a day of insight, exchange, and practical exploration.
The study day will explore the role of population health cohorts in shaping future health policy. By following individuals over time, these studies provide crucial insights into how health evolves across different groups and settings, allowing for the identification of long-term trends, the evaluation of interventions, and the assessment of policy impacts. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the scientific and policy value of cohort data, along with practical insights into how to design, implement, and integrate cohort studies into health information systems—equipping you with concrete approaches to apply in your own work or policy context.
The study day will begin with a welcome by Prof. Brecht Devleesschauwer, followed by keynote and case study presentations on Belgian and international cohort initiatives including EPIC, BELCOHORT, the Ghent Health Survey, and EnvironAge. A panel discussion will explore the strengths and challenges of cohort studies, leading into interactive afternoon workshops on retention strategies, data collection methods, and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. The day concludes with a policy dialogue featuring senior representatives from Sciensano, the FPS Public Health, and the Flemish Parliament, discussing how policy mandates and long-term research can mutually reinforce each other. Networking opportunities are provided during the lunch and closing reception.
This day is designed around collaboration. To stimulate interaction, we provide networking opportunities throughout the day, and especially during lunch and the closing reception. Join us to help shape the future of evidence-based health policy. Your participation will be instrumental in the conversation on enhancing the use of health data linkages for better policy and research outcomes.
Program
9:00-9:30 Welcome coffee
9:30-9:45 Introduction and word of welcome by Prof. Brecht Devleesschauwer
9:45-11:00
- Keynote presentations by Dr. Inge Huybrechts on the EPIC cohort
- Presentations from different case studies
- Dr. Johan Van der Heyden from the BELCOHORT study
- Prof. Marthe De Boevre from Gent Gezondheidsmonitor
- Prof. Tim Nawrot from EnvironAge
- Q&A
11:00-11:30 Coffee break
11:30-12:30
- Panel discussion on advantages, challenges and limitations of cohort studies with Dr. Inge Huybrechts (EPIC cohort), Dr. Johan Van der Heyden (Sciensano), Prof. Marthe De Boevre (Ghent Gezondheidsmonitor) and Prof. Tim Nawrot (EnvironAge)
- Q&A
12:30-13:30 Lunch break
13:30-14:30 Workshops
- Workshop 1 on retention strategies, organized by Helena Bruggeman (Sciensano)
- Workshop 2 on novel methods of data collection, organized by Dr. Nicolas Berger (Sciensano)
- Workshop 3 on inclusion of vulnerable groups, organized by Dr. Elise Braekman (Sciensano), Mernisa Mouch (Ghent Gezondheidsmonitor), Jérôme Antoine (Sciensano) and Carole Walker (Sciensano)
14:30-15:00 Summary of the workshops
15:00-16:00 Policy dialogue
- Panel discussion with Prof. Christian Léonard (General Director Sciensano), Mieke Walraevens (Director-General of the FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment) and Tina Van Havere (Representative Flemish Parliament) on how time-bound policy mandates can support long-term research initiatives, and how these initiatives can, in turn, inform and strengthen health policy
- Q&A
16:00-16:30 Closing remarks & reception
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