Our partners - HealthNest-EN

UC Louvain

A university of values, UCLouvain is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It is also the leading and largest French-speaking university in Belgium.

Stephan Van den Broucke, Full professor

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
For me, health literacy is at the intersection of health promotion, public health, and health psychology. I have been trained as a psychologist and have throughout my career been applying behavioural sciences to health promotion and public health. Over the past twenty-odd years, health literacy has become a critical concept in all three these disciplines, and its crucial role for enabling individuals to manage their own health, reducing inequalities, and improving quality of life has been documented in an expanding body of empirical studies. But health literacy is not only relevant; it is also measurable and can be addressed through education and organisational change. This combination of theoretical soundness and societal relevance is very stimulating for someone like me who strongly believes in evidence-based practice.

What motivated you to join (and chair) the HealthNest Board?
HealthNest for me brings together the key actors and stakeholders in Belgium who aim to turn health literacy awareness into concrete, sustainable strategies and interventions. It is a unique alliance that combines the know-how and insights from researchers, associations of health professionals from different disciplines, patient organisations and communication specialists to align their views on how health literacy can be addressed and to advocate for strengthening the capacity to do so. The format of an alliance between partners allows for a free, open exchange of views, without being hindered by professional or disciplinary corporatism.

MSD Belgium

At MSD, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than a century, we’ve been at the forefront of research, bringing forward medicines, vaccines and innovative health solutions for the world’s most challenging diseases.

An Cloet – External Affairs Director

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy matters to us because we firmly believe that when people understand their health information, they can make informed decisions, engage more confidently in their care, and achieve better outcomes, helping reduce avoidable health inequities.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
I was motivated to join the HealthNest board because I am inspired by the power of bringing together diverse stakeholders around a shared mission and a genuine passion to change things. HealthNest offers a unique space to translate often theoretical discussions on health literacy into concrete, practical actions that make a real difference for people in Belgium. Contributing to that collective effort—where ideas, experience, and commitment come together for impact—felt both meaningful and energising to me.

Danielle Derijcke – Patient Engagement Lead

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy matters because no medicine or treatment works if people cannot understand, trust, or use it as intended. As a company we may help bring scientifically sound, life‑changing therapies to market — but if patients cannot make sense of their diagnosis, understand benefits and risks, navigate treatment choices, or feel confident engaging with healthcare professionals, then innovation does not translate into health outcomes.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
Taking on an active role in HealthNest motivates me because health literacy sits at the intersection of impact, responsibility, and care — in my work, in my family, and in the relationships that shape everyday life. Health literacy matters to me as a mother, because every parent becomes a health decision‑maker on behalf of another human being. Whether it is understanding a vaccination schedule, recognizing when a symptom is worrying, navigating conflicting online information, or explaining a health issue to a child in age‑appropriate terms — health literacy is not theoretical. It is daily, emotional, and often stressful.

Thomas More

Thomas More is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Flanders, offering a broad range of educational programmes and conducting practice-oriented research. The institution is committed to creating positive societal impact through innovation, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.

Hilde Vandenhoudt – Project Manager

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy is very dear to my heart, as access to clear and reliable health information is a fundamental patient’s right. Health literacy is a basic skill that enables people to make informed decisions and to fully benefit from available health information and care. Through many years of work in primary health care and prevention in sub‑Saharan Africa, I experienced how crucial health literacy is for making health systems more equitable. I was therefore surprised to see that in Belgium, attention to health literacy has only gained momentum relatively recently. At Thomas More, both health literacy and digital literacy are overarching principles that consistently guide our applied research in care and well‑being.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
Taking on an active role in HealthNest motivates me because health literacy sits at the intersection of impact, responsibility, and care — in my work, in my family, and in the relationships that shape everyday life. Health literacy matters to me as a mother, because every parent becomes a health decision‑maker on behalf of another human being. Whether it is understanding a vaccination schedule, recognizing when a symptom is worrying, navigating conflicting online information, or explaining a health issue to a child in age‑appropriate terms — health literacy is not theoretical. It is daily, emotional, and often stressful.

AVIQ

AVIQ is the Walloon public agency responsible for areas including health, wellbeing, disability, and family support. Through its public service mission, AVIQ supports the Walloon social protection scheme, as well as policies and initiatives that contribute to citizens’ “quality of life”.

Stéphanie Lupcin – Manager in health, social action and social cohesion

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy fully aligns with the missions of AVIQ by supporting—sometimes discreetly, but in a decisive way—autonomy, accessibility and prevention.
By promoting an informed use of information, it enables citizens to become more active participants in their own care pathways and to make easier use of the services and support systems available to them.
In this way, often upstream, it helps reduce certain inequalities and strengthens the impact of public policies and our services.
Within a participatory approach, it enhances the quality and fluidity of dialogue between users and professionals and therefore emerges as an essential dimension of individual well-being and quality of life.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
Joining the HealthNest board represents an opportunity for me to put my professional experience at the service of initiatives with real potential for change.
I wish to contribute to the development of concrete solutions alongside experts from diverse backgrounds.

APB

APB is the national federation representing independent community pharmacists in Belgium. The organisation supports and promotes the role of pharmacists as accessible healthcare professionals within the Belgian healthcare system. The health and interests of the patient are central to this, in order to contribute to better public health.

Michael Storme – Vice president

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy holds immense significance for APB, the Association of Pharmacists in Belgium. When health literacy is lacking, patients face an increased risk of misusing medications, failing to adhere to prescribed treatments, and encountering preventable health issues. These challenges underscore the critical role pharmacists play in mitigating such risks. Because pharmacists are among the most accessible and frequently consulted healthcare professionals, they have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap in understanding. By making health information and medication instructions clearer for patients, pharmacists empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
The motivation to join the HealthNest board stems from a shared ambition to invest structurally in health literacy, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.
HealthNest offers a unique platform to connect frontline healthcare expertise with prevention, education, and innovation, thereby strengthening the societal impact of community pharmacy care.

Zorgnet-Icuro

Zorgnet-Icuro is a Flemish network organisation representing a wide range of healthcare and care organisations, including hospitals, mental health services and residential care providers. The organisation works to support high-quality, accessible and sustainable care in Flanders.

Lieve Dhaene – Director of Communications

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy is fundamental to achieving our mission of high-quality, accessible, and affordable care. At Zorgnet-Icuro, we see every day that equal access to healthcare does not automatically lead to equity. Strengthening health literacy empowers patients and residents to better understand, navigate, and participate in their care, which ultimately improves quality and safety. It also supports more efficient use of healthcare resources, which is essential in a system under pressure. For us, investing in health literacy is therefore not an add-on, but a core condition for sustainable and people-centered care.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
I was motivated to join the HealthNest board because not everyone starts from the same position when it comes to health and access to care. HealthNest offers a collaborative platform to address these gaps in a structural and innovative way. It also allows us to play a role in helping the many existing good practices from the field gain wider recognition and uptake. Contributing to that shared ambition strongly aligns with both my personal drive and our organisational priorities.

Belgian Heart League

The Belgian Heart League is the national professional association representing cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists in Belgium. Through scientific exchange, education and collaboration, the society supports the advancement of cardiovascular medicine and the continuous improvement of patient care.

Rik Vanhoof – General Manager

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
At the Belgian Heart League, we believe that health literacy is the foundation of a heart-healthy society. It is not just about helping patients manage a condition; it is about empowering every citizen with the knowledge to prevent cardiovascular diseases before they occur. Clear and accessible information is the key for powerful prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and timely medical care. By improving health literacy, we ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has the tools to take control of their own heart health. Ultimately, understanding your health is the first step toward protecting it.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
I was motivated to join the HealthNest board because I believe in the power of a multi-stakeholder alliance to tackle complex challenges like health literacy. By bringing together diverse expertise, we can create a much stronger impact on public health policy and practice than we could alone. I am eager to offer the insights of the Belgian Heart League to help build tangible solutions that bridge the gap between medical knowledge and everyday life.

KdG

The Care in Connection Research Center at Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences and Arts hosts lecturers and a multidisciplinary research team specializing in -amongst others- health literacy, health communication and behavioral change in care settings. The center excels in practice-oriented, scientific research and education aimed at supporting and improving the position of healthcare professionals and the quality of care.

Kathleen Van Royen – Senior researcher (PhD) Research Centre Care in Connection

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
At KdG, we view health literacy as a cornerstone of fair and accessible healthcare. Through practice‑oriented research, we develop communication strategies that healthcare professionals can use immediately. By developing and testing innovative methods—including AI—we explore how to support clear and inclusive communication. We also embed health literacy throughout our nursing and midwifery programmes, ensuring students are well prepared to guide patients in an understandable and accessible way.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
I joined the HealthNest board because I strongly believe that everyone deserves access to understandable and usable health information, and that health literacy is essential for achieving health and wellbeing. HealthNest offers a platform to strengthen how organisations and professionals support people in navigating their health. By translating research into real‑world impact, I can contribute to this mission.

Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven vzw

Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment, thereby helping to create a better quality of life and making healthy choices easier for everyone. Through its expertise in health promotion and prevention, the organisation contributes valuable knowledge on empowering citizens and strengthening health literacy across society.

Sien De Coninck – Staff Member Health Inequality

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy is essential to reducing health inequalities. According to the Prevention Barometer, 1 in 6 people in Flanders have limited health literacy, particularly individuals in socially vulnerable situations. This affects their ability to find, understand, and apply health information, and therefore their capacity to take control of their own health. At the Flemish Institute for Healthy Living (Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven vzw), we focus on strengthening these skills because they empower people to make healthier choices and overcome barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle. This requires a dual approach:
Organisations must make their services and offerings as low‑threshold and accessible as possible for people with limited health literacy.
Citizens and communities themselves must also be supported and strengthened in developing their health literacy skills.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
Working together with other stakeholders on health literacy creates greater opportunities, and HealthNest provides the ideal platform to make this happen. This was our motivation for joining HealthNest.
Through this platform, we can work together with organisations in Belgium to strengthen health literacy, maintain and expand the network, and contribute to more accessible healthcare for everyone. By actively participating, we help raise awareness, build expertise, and connect actors working on health inequalities. In doing so, we not only share and expand our own expertise, but also achieve greater collective impact in strengthening health literacy in Belgium.

YUZA

YUZA supports responsible innovation in health, wellbeing and ageing. By bringing together citizens, professionals, researchers and other stakeholders, YUZA helps organisations and innovators co-develop solutions that address real needs and are more likely to be adopted and create meaningful impact.

Lara Vigneron – Founder

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy matters to us because it shapes people’s ability to understand and use health information and technologies in their daily lives. We see that even well-designed innovations fail if they don’t match people’s capacities and contexts. It is therefore a key condition for meaningful adoption and impact. Ultimately, it helps ensure innovation remains inclusive, trustworthy, and grounded in real needs.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
I joined the HealthNest board to highlight the importance of addressing health literacy from the start of innovation projects. Too often, it comes too late instead of being integrated into design. Considering it early also fosters more balanced, informed interactions between citizens and professionals. HealthNest provides a space to embed this in practice. It also allows me to exchange with others and learn from diverse perspectives.

Foyer vzw

Foyer VZW works to promote inclusion and equal opportunities in a multicultural society. Its expertise in working with vulnerable populations and diverse communities provides an important perspective on accessibility and equity in health literacy.

Ann Trappers – Coordinator Intercultural Mediation Service in Healthcare

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy enables people to take greater control of their own health and lives. This is precisely what Foyer, a non-profit organisation, has been working towards for decades: the empowerment and autonomy of vulnerable people from migrant backgrounds. For these people, health literacy carries a particular weight. Low health literacy in this context can mean delayed care and poorer health outcomes. Foyer wants to contribute to removing barriers, building trust, and supporting people to advocate for themselves and their families.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
Personally, through the Intercultural Mediation Service, I come into daily contact with non-native speakers and newcomers who are navigating their way around Brussels, including the healthcare system. Ensuring they find their way to the right information and care concerns us collectively as a society. HealthNest is an excellent and timely initiative that brings together partners from a wide variety of backgrounds. It enables us to share practices, exchange ideas, and learn about new developments.

UGIB (Union Générale des Infirmiers de Belgique)

UGIB is a Belgian non-profit organisation that brings together nursing professionals and represents the interests of the nursing sector. It promotes the development and recognition of nursing practice in the interest of both professionals and patients.

Deniz Avcioglu – Coordinator

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
Health literacy is a key priority for the Belgian General Union of Nurses, as it directly impacts patients’ ability to understand health information, participate in decision-making, and adopt behaviors that support their health. For nurses, it is closely linked to quality of care, patient safety, and the effectiveness of interventions. Strengthening health literacy also helps reduce inequalities in access to care and supports a more participatory, patient-centered approach.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
My motivation to join the board of HealthNest is aligned with this perspective: to contribute, alongside other stakeholders, to the development of concrete initiatives aimed at improving public understanding of health issues. It is also an opportunity to bring forward the voice of nurses in these discussions, highlighting their key role in patient support and fostering collaboration across the healthcare system.

Mediawijs

UGIB is a Belgian non-profit organisation that brings together nursing professionals and represents the interests of the nursing sector. It promotes the development and recognition of nursing practice in the interest of both professionals and patients.

Davy Nijs – Project coordinator

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
I have been actively involved in media literacy and digital inclusion within healthcare and welfare organisations for a long time. At Mediawijs, the Flemish Knowledge Centre for Digital and Media Literacy, we also focus specifically on these sectors. When it comes to digital inclusion, we see the main link in strengthening the digital skills of professionals. However, other themes within Mediawijs also contribute to the digital health literacy of the Flemish population, such as the theme of critical thinking.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
Mediawijs isn’t necessarily the first port of call for the healthcare sector when it comes to digital health literacy. It doesn’t need to be, but I try to highlight the potential links with Mediawijs’ themes within the board. Much of the material developed within Mediawijs can be used directly in the healthcare sector, or with just a minor adjustment. So why not share it there? We are, of course, also hoping for new partnerships.

Multipharma

Multipharma is a Belgian patient cooperative dedicated to providing accessible, patient-centred pharmaceutical care. Through its nationwide network of community pharmacies and its services to residential care homes and other healthcare providers, it supports people throughout their healthcare journey, combining professional expertise with proximity, trust, and a clear commitment to creating tangible value for every patient.

Nicolas Delhaye – Care & Quality Director

Why does health literacy matter to you or your organisation?
For Multipharma, health literacy is a transversal lever that determines the effectiveness of pharmaceutical care. As pharmacists, we act as interpreters, clarifiers, and facilitators. We help patients understand their treatment, feel confident about it, make decisions, and clarify the sometimes-complex messages coming from the healthcare system, working in close collaboration with other healthcare providers. This aspect is particularly important for patients with chronic conditions, those on polypharmacy, vulnerable patients, those with limited follow-up, or those supported by family caregivers. Health literacy is integrated into the care journeys developed for our patients rather than treated as a separate element.

What motivated you to join the HealthNest board?
As a member of the HealthNest board, we value working together and sharing initiatives that help to strengthen and raise the visibility of health literacy, and to promote it among Belgian stakeholders.

Meet the HealthNest Board