The RSCN represents all accredited Active and Healthy Ageing (AHA) Reference Site regions. There are presently 64 AHA Reference Site regions in Europe and one in South Africa. Together they represent over 250 million citizens; 1,400 regional governments, public authorities, health providers, social car providers; 500 universities, colleges and research institutes; 1,800 SMEs and start-ups; and 500 patient, voluntary and community organisations. The RSCN facilitates the engagement of multidisciplinary experts from public authorities, health, social care, education, business, and research with policymakers, patient and citizen groups, and communities. This enables them to share their diverse backgrounds and experience so as to identify and address mutual health and care challenges that will lead to sustainable improvements in health and care outcomes for citizens throughout their life-course. Its aims are to support AHA Reference Site regions in Europe, and beyond, to:
- Promote all actions of AHA within a “whole life course”,
- Accelerate the deployment of major innovations which will improve health, wellbeing, and care outcomes,
- Develop new business models for innovative services,
- Facilitate the development of economic growth opportunities through new skills & new jobs.
Role in the Digital Health Uptake project
In joining the DHU consortium, the RSCN will contribute to all areas of the project. It leads specifically on: the collection and screening of “demand side” digital health and care solutions, practices and relevant resources; the development and management of the DHU Twinning Programme; and Expansion of the Digital Health Ecosystem. Through its participation in the project the RSCN aims to identify and support the scaling up of evidence-based digital health and care good practices, including those implemented by AHA Reference Site regions, and other European regions; and how their shared digital health and care challenges were addressed focusing on the barriers and enablers. Additionally, the RSCN will expand the number of accredited AHA Reference Sites and develop Thematic Working Groups to identify and address the challenges and barriers to the implementation of digital health and care solutions.