See the photos: Opening of REACH research center
Staff, partners and other invited guests celebrated the official opening of the faculty’s new research center for health literacy and health equity.
Thursday 22 January was a very special day at Health. REACH – Research Center for Health Literacy & Equity – was officially opened and inaugurated with both an academic programme and a celebratory reception.
“The clock in the lecture theatre is running a little behind. We are not. We are right on time, because today we are opening a new research center for health literacy and equity at Aarhus University,” declared Dean Anne-Mette Hvas as she welcomed guests and staff to the opening reception.
Many people find it difficult to navigate the healthcare system, and as a result they do not receive the prevention or treatment they need. The faculty’s new strategic initiative aims to change this.
The REACH research center will generate new knowledge that brings about change in the healthcare system and in civil society, helping to strengthen health literacy among more people and create greater equity in health for all.
“Today is a very good day. Thank you to all the researchers who, with great commitment and expertise, have paved the way for us to open a new research center and be here today. Congratulations, and best of luck with the work,” said Anne-Mette Hvas.
Professor Helle Terkildsen Maindal from the Department of Public Health is Head of the REACH research center. She invited collaboration and offered a brief sneak peek at the research being conducted at the center.
“We will explore how health literacy is developed and applied – from the individual level to the system level. And we use research methods that lie at the intersection of health sciences and social sciences,” explained Helle Terkildsen Maindal.
“How many of you have experienced being cured of a chronic illness simply by turning one year older?” asked Christoffer Fehsenfeld. “No one – I had hoped to see a few more hands, especially as many of you are doctors,” he continued humorously.
Christoffer Fehsenfeld is a consultant at Nossell & Co., and he had been invited to speak about the barriers experienced from within the healthcare sector and the ‘system’ when living with a chronic illness – in his case, cerebral palsy.
The lecture theatre in the Søauditorier building was packed on Thursday 22 January, as researchers, partners and other interested guests had braved the cold January weather to mark the opening of the new research center.
Mogens Vestergaard, honorary professor at the Department of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, and affiliated with the Research Unit for General Practice, congratulated the team on what he described as an important, relevant and visionary initiative.
“The timing is perfect. We have a window of opportunity, because we are about to begin transforming the world’s best healthcare system so that it becomes even better. Health literacy must be integrated into primary care, and I hope you will contribute to that work,” said Mogens Vestergaard, who is also a GP with a practice in Grenaa.
Professor Susie Sykes from South Bank University highlighted that Denmark is a role model and something of a baseline for health equity, and that opening a research center on the subject therefore seems a natural extension.
“The center is more than an organisational milestone. It is a strong platform for collaboration across borders and contexts. With your focus on both health literacy and equity, you can contribute to deeper understanding, important insights, and help answer some of the unanswered questions that remain within our field of research,” said Susie Sykes.
The opening programme featured both an academic session with presentations from several invited speakers and a reception with sparkling wine, canapés and lively conversation.
“On paper, we have equal access to healthcare. But if we scratch the surface, reality looks different,” said Anne-Mette Hvas in her opening speech, continuing:
“The ideal patient has high health literacy. But far from everyone is the ideal patient. We now have the opportunity to change that through more research and greater knowledge. I look forward to following the work.”
“Reach out – move forward” was the call heard several times during the afternoon, and the guests seemed keen to take it to heart.
“Because health is for everyone” is the slogan of Health’s new research center, REACH, which is part of Department of Public Health.