Collaboration partners

Working together for healthy children in Amsterdam. We do this together with Amsterdam universities and hospitals within the Sarphati Amsterdam research institute.

Growing up healthy in the city is an important theme for many Amsterdam parents and the Public Health Service of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam)! That’s why the Public Health Service is working together with Sarphati Amsterdam. Sarphati Amsterdam is a research institute where researchers from the Public Health Service and the Amsterdam universities and hospitals conduct scientific research into Amsterdam children’s health, lifestyle and living environment. Researchers from the Public Health Service work in multi-disciplinary teams with Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit (VU), University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA).

Sarphati Amsterdam and Samuel Sarphati

Sarphati Amsterdam is named after Samuel Sarphati. Samuel Sarphati (1813-1866) was one of the great Amsterdam citizens of the 19th century: an idealistic doctor and businessman who worked continuously to improve public hygiene and fight the catastrophic poverty in Amsterdam’s working-class districts. He was convinced that improving living conditions would have a positive influence on public health. He practiced what he preached. Sarphati established the first waste and manure company to collect all the city’s waste. Amsterdam’s canals and streets became visibly cleaner. This contributed to healthier living conditions for Amsterdam’s poor. He also established the Flour and Bread Factory Society, which offered bread at thirty per cent below the standard baker’s price. This meant that Amsterdam’s poor could also eat good bread, which also benefitted their health.

Sarphati Amsterdam believes that Amsterdam residents can make a difference to their city’s liveability and health.

Would you like to know more about Samuel Sarphati? NTR has made a 13-part history series about the turbulent 19th century, including an episode about Samuel Sarphati. View this episode below.

Sarphati Amsterdam and Public Health Services of Amsterdam (GGD Amsterdam)

Apart from Sarphati Amsterdam various departments within the Public Health Service and SAG (Amsterdam Health Foundation)  are involved in the Sarphati Cohort as well. For instance, the Epidemiology and Health Promotion & Healthcare Innovation (EGZ) department is working intensively with Youth Health Care and the Amsterdam Regional Laboratory.

The end goal? Find practical solutions to help prevent non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases, starting from an early age. This is how we are working together to help build a healthy future for all Amsterdam children!