Table 2 Overview of nine district types with the associated characteristics, themes and approach
District types | Data guidea | Prevention guideb | |
|---|---|---|---|
Key characteristics | Selected themes | Integrated approach | |
Urban centre | Stimulants, stress, loneliness, fewer chronic diseases, sufficient exercise and sufficiently healthy diet High level of amenities (shops and public transport), healthcare facilities High-density housing, poor air quality and little greenery Low level of social cohesion, and nuisance in the street. Lots of people in work Lots of single-person households and diversity | High level of stimulant use among young adults (with high socioeconomic status) Healthy living environment | Interventions focused on information via peer-group education (‘Unity’), offering self-help programmes (Jellinek online self-help), a policy of enforcement by limiting the supply of stimulants, enforcement of age limits and training cafe staff (‘smartconnection’). Interventions aimed at better utilisation of green areas and green connecting passages, thereby giving more opportunity for people to relax, meet up and exercise (cycling scores well), management and maintenance of greenery and include greenery in spatial plans. |
Pre-war working-class district | Chronic diseases, mental health issues, unhealthy patterns of diet and exercise, and poor self-management High level of amenities (shops and public transport), and primary care facilities (GPs) High housing density, little room for exercise and a lot of social housing High degree of social cohesion Fewer initiatives by the public Mixed age distribution, diversity and preponderance of low-income groups | Unhealthy lifestyle among adults with low socioeconomic status Self-management for chronic diseases | Interventions that focus on information about healthy lifestyles (buying and cooking healthy food), healthy lifestyle assistance (‘SLIMMER’) and creating a healthy environment (‘45+ football’) in which healthy behaviour is encouraged. Interventions aimed at enhancing easy-to-understand information about diseases, encouraging people to get a grip on their health and be in control (‘Social and Vibrant’, ‘Exercise Course’), meeting fellow sufferers/healthcare providers online or mobilising the social network (community support). |
Post-war district with high-rise buildings | Unhealthy lifestyle, overweight, mental health issues, loneliness, stress High level of amenities (shops and public transport), and welfare facilities Unattractive greenery and renovation of homes Sense of insecurity, initiatives from the public Fewer people in work Diversity, a lot of young people, more low-income groups | Overweight among children Climate in which children are raised | Interventions that focus on information about a healthy diet and exercising enough (‘Nice and Fit’), assistance for children and their families in losing weight (‘Lifestyle’, ‘Energy Fun and Friends’) and creating a healthy environment (‘sCOOLsport’, ‘Healthy Weight Overvecht’ and keeping fast-food chains out). Interventions aimed at improving parents’ child-raising skills (‘Child-raising & So On’, ‘Triple P’), improving family members’ skills, better provision of healthcare and facilities for children and young people with behavioural problems (‘the Peaceful School’) and creating a safe environment. |
Leafy urban districts | Stress, mental health issues and excessive alcohol consumption Few healthcare and welfare facilities in the vicinity Sufficient greenery and space, investing in your own home Providing informal care Dual-income couples/people in work Mixed age distribution, more graduates and elderly people depending on age of housing | Stress and burn-out among adults | Interventions aimed at enhancing mental well-being and reducing mental-health complaints. This could involve online self-help programmes or group courses (‘Psyfit.nl’ or ‘Living in Full’). Furthermore, creating an environment where there is room to rest and relax (business yoga). |
Small-town districts | Stimulants (smoking, drugs), mental health issues, loneliness and unhealthy lifestyle Basic amenities (shops and public transport), adequate primary care and welfare facilities Shortage of appropriate housing and unattractive surroundings for exercise Nuisance (loitering youngsters) in some places Lots of people in work Mixed age distribution, diversity, both high-income and low-income groups | Resilience and social skills of young people Smoking and drugs among young people | Interventions aimed at enhancing young people’s social skills (‘Power in Control’) as a way of preventing problem behaviour later on, as well as interventions aimed at giving young people exhibiting problem behaviour new skills (‘Down to Work’, ‘Star Training’). Also creating an environment in which young people can grow up resilient and with social skills (school-wide positive behaviour support) and where nuisance caused by youngsters is tackled (bans on assembly, area bans). Interventions aimed at making young people aware of the risks of smoking and drug use, helping them to stop (‘Pot Check’, ‘Smoke Alert’) and creating a no-smoking environment (ban on smoking at schools and sports locations). |
Leafy small-town districts | Loneliness, not enough exercise, fewer chronic diseases Adequate amenities (shops, schools) but no healthcare facilities nearby Sufficient greenery and space Little nuisance but little engagement Providing informal care Mixed age distribution, diversity and more one-person households | Social cohesion | Interventions aimed at flagging up vulnerable inhabitants in danger of becoming lonely (‘Social and Vibrant’, ‘Fancy a Friendship’) and interventions geared to meeting people (‘Hearty Resto’, local sports clubs). |
Large-village centres | Excessive alcohol consumption, overweight and mental health issues Declining number of amenities (sports and public transport), adequate primary care facilities Sufficient space and greenery, few high-rise buildings High degree of social cohesion and rich ecosystem of societies Lots of people in work Mixed age distribution, more people with few qualifications | Excessive alcohol consumption among young people | Interventions aimed at providing information about alcohol consumption (‘PAS’), assisting young people with alcohol problems and their parents (‘Moti-4’), creating a social norm for responsible alcohol consumption (‘Succeeding Together’, ‘Regional Training Centre Plan of Attack’) and measures aimed at discouragement and enforcement. |
Villages and hamlets | Excessive alcohol consumption, less exercise (dependent on the car) and more overweight Low level of amenities, and secondary care some distance away Poorer air quality, a lot of space and greenery High degree of social cohesion and dependency due to ageing (ability to cope) Providing informal care Both high-income and low-income groups, fewer young people and more people with relatively little education | Healthy and old/ability to cope | Interventions aimed at creating awareness about ageing healthily and at promoting a healthy lifestyle (functional training for the elderly, ‘Groningen Active Living Model’). Furthermore, interventions aimed support for informal caregivers, contact with fellow sufferers and mobilising the social network around the elderly (centres where they can meet up, community support). |
Scattered housing in rural areas | Less exercise, overweight, loneliness and stress. Few amenities, limited public transport and limited fibre-optic cabling A lot of space and greenery Coping together and rich ecosystem of societies Few employment opportunities Both high-income and low-income groups, fewer young people | Loneliness among the elderly Overweight in adults | Intervention aimed at increasing awareness (‘Week Against Loneliness’) and expanding the social network of vulnerable elderly people (‘Welfare on Prescription’, ‘Social and Vibrant’). Furthermore, interventions aimed at the environment and centred on meeting people (local sports clubs, ‘Hearty Resto’). Interventions aimed at providing information to people at risk of becoming overweight about healthy diets and exercise behaviour (cheap healthy food), improving skills related to healthy diet and healthy exercise (‘Smartsize’, ‘Step into Health’) and encouraging a healthy living environment (‘45+ football’ and offering swimming activities). |