PhD defence Brigitte Agnes Maria van der Zanden

Keywords: Cross-border public health, Dutch-German-Belgium border region, Prevention and Health Promotion, Citizens in border regions

"Cross-Border Public Health in European Border Regions: Between Everyday Life and National Systems"

People living in a border region may cross a national border every day to work, shop, study or visit family. But when it comes to public health, the border still plays an important role. Health policies, responsibilities, data and organisations are still largely organised within individual countries.

This PhD research shows what that means in practice in border regions between the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium. Differences between countries can be seen, for example, in infectious disease control, prevention, healthy ageing and substance use among adolescents. The research also shows that the perspectives of residents do not automatically find their way into policy and cross-border collaboration. As a result, there can be a gap between how people organise their everyday lives and how policies and organisations are structured.

The main lesson is that border regions should not be overlooked in national policy. Policy and practice should pay more attention to the cross-border effects of national measures, improve the alignment of information and responsibilities, and involve residents and professionals from border regions themselves in finding solutions.

Click here for the live stream.