My research focusses on supporting citizens and patients in better understanding health-related information so that they can make informed decisions about their health. In my research, I pay special attention to individuals with lower health literacy, numeracy, graph literacy, and/or a migration background. Information that is understood by everyone promotes equality and will therefore contribute to reducing health disparities. 

My PhD research focused on how personalized risk information about breast cancer treatments and (future) risk‑based breast cancer screening can be communicated in a clear and comprehensible way. I also examined the accessibility of information strategies used in national cancer screening programmes.

Currently, I study public acceptance of risk‑based breast and colorectal cancer screening and develop communication strategies that support informed decision‑making. My work combines quantitative and qualitative methods, engages citizen scientists and key stakeholders, and uses co‑creation with citizens and patients to improve information materials.

Section and research group

I am a member of member of the section Quality and Organization of Care, Department of Public and Occupational Health. QOC is a multidisciplinary section that aims to improve the quality and organization of public, curative, and palliative health care for citizens, patients and health care professionals, organizations and health care systems by performing research and translating scientific knowledge into practice, policy and education.

Within this section my research falls within the research group RISC Amsterdam. In the RISC expert centre, we perform interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research on health risk communication and individual and shared decision making, and integrate scientific knowledge with policy and practice. We work closely with The National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and health care professionals.

Risk communication, Health Literacy, Risk visualizations, Shared/Informed Decision Making, population screening