Movement and Vitality
Movement is a fundamental part of a healthy life. Whether it's sports, walking, or daily activities: an active lifestyle not only improves your physical health but also reduces healthcare costs and extends your lifespan.
Our researchers investigate how movement contributes to more healthy years. This can include studies demonstrating that neighbourhoods with higher levels of physical activity have lower healthcare costs. And what, exactly, is the power of movement?
Engaging in physical activity lowers healthcare costs
Researchers at the University of Groningen have conducted research for the municipalities of Rotterdam and Amsterdam into the relationship between sports and exercise and healthcare costs. The results of the study ‘The relationship between sports and exercise and socioeconomic differences in healthcare costs’ clearly show that in neighborhoods where more residents exercise weekly and where more residents meet the guidelines for physical activity, healthcare costs are lower.
The power of movement
You put on your coat, grab your bag and walk out the door. Without thinking twice. Just popping to the supermarket, the bus stop or for a walk in the park. But what if every kerb, crossing or roadwork suddenly became major obstacles?
For people who depend on a wheelchair, walker or other mobility aid, mobility is anything but a given. It's not just about covering distance, but also about healthy physical activity, freedom and independence. How accessible is our society really?
New Research Highlights Cost-Saving Benefits of Lifestyle Behavior Change App
A study conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) of the University of Groningen has found that the use of the SamenGezond app, offered by health insurance company Menzis, is associated with a notable reduction in healthcare costs among its users.
The study, which evaluates the app's impact in a real-world setting, highlights the potential of mobile health (mHealth) applications in promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the financial burden on healthcare systems.