In the Netherlands, broad prosperity is increasingly on the agenda. But according to Jane Murray Cramm, professor at Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management and active in various social roles, the concept should be broadened even further. “To me, broad prosperity goes beyond economics. It’s about social participation, cohesion and wellbeing—physical, mental, and social. Only when all groups in society are able to participate and thrive can we truly speak of broad prosperity. As long as some groups are left behind, that prosperity simply isn’t broad enough.”
A Growing Divide
The Netherlands is not doing nearly as well as we think, says Jane. “Socioeconomic health disparities are still growing. In the Netherlands, differences in quality of life between people with practical and theoretical education can be as high as sixteen years. This means that a dedicated bus driver may face years of physical discomfort and limited mobility, while a university graduate enjoys an active and healthy retirement. Life expectancy can differ by as much as seven years. That’s absurd—especially in a wealthy country. This growing divide isn’t just a global trend; we’re seeing it here, too. Our systems and our science are mostly geared toward the theoretically educated citizen. We don’t sufficiently understand what other groups need. That mismatch is growing—and as long as it exists, we cannot speak of broad prosperity.”
Real Life in the Neighbourhood
Jane focuses her research on groups that often remain invisible. “How are people with dementia or intellectual disabilities doing? What do they need to age well in their
own neighbourhood? What happens if you’re single, don’t speak the language, or feel unsafe in your surroundings? These are the questions at the heart of my research.
Together with my team, I study how older adults—with and without a migration background—experience their neighbourhoods,and how that affects their wellbeing.”
More than Just Data
Broad prosperity is more than economic indicators alone. “The Dutch Statistics Office now looks at dozens of factors, from health to social cohesion. But we must dare to dig deeper. Take Turkish older adults, for instance: often more physically vulnerable, but socially stronger due to close family ties and respect for elders. You only learn that if you go beyond the numbers and ask the right questions.”
Research with Impact
At Erasmus University, Jane is working on a new strategy that puts societal impact at its core. “We must leave our ivory towers. Too often, our research unintentionally excludes people. Instead of merely publishing papers, we must return to our respondents and ask: what does this mean for you? That’s why we revise and translate our questionnaires and make them understandable to everyone. I advocate for a ‘participation ladder’ for researchers: how accessible and relevant is our work to society?”
Collaborating on Solutions
Jane collaborates with the municipality of Rotterdam, TU Delft, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and other partners on projects in local neighbourhoods. “We explore how to make communities healthier and more socially connected. Think of safe public meeting spaces, walking groups, and integrated neighbourhood policies. Together, we co-design the environment and examine behaviour, safety and wellbeing. These are long-term projects, but they yield valuable insights with immediate practical application.”
Catching Up
Jane sees progress, but much remains to be done. “Researchers are increasingly asking the right questions and ensuring their studies reflect diverse target groups. As Chief Diversity Officer, I also champion more inclusive science within the university. We need to break with elitism. A diverse research team, for example, increases the chance of producing research that’s genuinely relevant.”
Jane is Professor of Person-Centred Care, Chief Diversity Officer, and Director of the IDEA Centre (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) at Erasmus University Rotterdam. She also serves on the Quality Council of the Dutch Healthcare Institute and is a supervisory board member at Mijzo, a large long-term care organisation in Brabant.
