Digital Health Lab inspires
In Howest Digital Health Lab, you will discover the latest digital developments that promote a healthy lifestyle and thus strengthen preventive healthcare. We call it an expertise hub because you can discover which digital applications are available (or under development) for a healthy lifestyle, screening, and monitoring chronic conditions: demos of existing tools, projects in development, databases of what the market has to offer… we inspire you in the Digital Health Lab.
We organize DHL inspiration and demo sessions, regularly disseminate the latest developments, and every six months zoom in on a specific theme at the intersection of lifestyle and technology: AI for movement, apps for mental well-being, wearables and sleep, ... In this way, we turn the Digital Health Lab into a meeting place where we stimulate innovation and knowledge sharing, and connect technology companies, healthcare actors, students, and entrepreneurs. Together with our partners, we set young entrepreneurs on their way in the world of digital health.
"In Digital Health Lab, the emphasis is strongly on prevention and a healthy lifestyle. Ideally, we focus on primary prevention—preventing people from becoming ill—but secondary, more intensive forms of prevention are also addressed. We investigate how digital technology can help support people in getting enough quality sleep, eating healthily, exercising sufficiently, and maintaining mental well-being. These are our four major themes."
Laurent Degroote
A sustainable project
In line with the identity of Howest, University of Applied Sciences West Flanders, characterized by social engagement and innovative projects that create sustainable added value, Howest will open Digital Health Lab on May 5, 2026.
Digital Health Lab is building a broad network of intermediary professionals and organizations that play a key role in strengthening digital preventive healthcare. This network includes healthcare professionals and organizations (such as hospitals, professional associations, home nursing organizations, and multidisciplinary practices), health promoters (personal trainers and coaches), students, technology companies, start-ups, health insurers, and corporate wellbeing actors.
