Our vision consists of revolutionizing dental and orthopedic surgery by introducing a new paradigm, model-based theranostics, which consists of an integrative coupling of therapeutics, diagnostics and numerical simulation in order to optimize the performances of the surgical protocol and to predict its clinical outcome. The success of surgical protocols involving endosseous implants is limited by i) the empirical methods employed to assess implant stability, which is a strong determinant of the surgical outcome, ii) the absence of therapeutic approaches to stimulate osseointegration phenomena and iii) the difficulty of predicting the implant outcome. The aim of UltraSimplant is to develop a radically new unified model-based theranostic concept using innovative ideas in the domain of quantitative ultrasound (QUS). The new concept will combine characterization, simulation and stimulation of osseointegration phenomena, leading to the foundation of a revolutionary approach capable of providing a decision support system to the surgeon, to improve osseointegration in a patient specific manner and to predict the surgical outcome, thus leading to a drastic decrease of the implants failure rate. We will conceive and validate (in vitro, in silico, in vivo and in a clinical trial) a minimum viable product and consisting of a medical device using QUS techniques to assess dental implant stability. A validated model of the evolution of the bone-implant system will take into account the complex multiscale nature of the interface in order to validate in silico the QUS device and to predict the effect of ultrasound stimulation and implant outcome. The model will be used in order to optimize the parameters to be employed in the stimulation. UltraSimplant will first focus on dental implants because of the important failure rate and to the easy access of the implant. In the long term, model-based theranostic approaches will be applied to other implants in orthopedic surgery.

While the need for integrating palliative care (PC) services into heart failure (HF) care has been well recognised, as of yet this integration lacks behind, especially when compared to cancer care. Currently, only 5-7% of patients with HF utilise PC services, due to a focus on optimising therapy and an unpredictable disease trajectory with exacerbations which hampers prognosis. As a result, many symptoms and concerns that are not directly related to HF are not recognised and undertreated and patients are often referred to PC services only at the very end of their lives. The RAPHAEL consortium sets out to take the next big step in integrating PC into HF care by integrating the RAPHAEL palliative care approach in existing HF care pathways. This flexible and patient centred approach starts with the identification of multidimensional symptoms and concerns, prioritise needs with patient and informal carer and formulate a proactive care plan. The symptoms and concerns will be monitored by the patient at home using the PAL@HEART application. The app can be used to evaluate interventions, support communication and earl identify new or increasing needs. As a result, the care needs of each individual patient with HF are addressed faster and better, improving their quality of life and autonomy. Moreover, this will lead to a reduction in emergency hospitalisations, unburdening the healthcare system and reducing costs. The RAPHAEL project sets out to adapt the RAPHAEL approach to HF care within a European context and test and validate its (cost-)effectiveness via a feasibility and large-scale evaluation study performed in 7 EU countries, the UK and Switzerland. It brings together experts in palliative care, cardiology, and primary care as well as professional organisations and patient representatives. Together the RAPHAEL consortium is uniquely situated to demonstrate the (cost-)effectiveness of the RAPAHEL approach and launch its implementation in Europe and beyond.

One of the lessons learnt from the Covid-19 pandemic is the importance of flexibility in funding and organization of health systems. European countries responded quickly to this extreme event, by expanding the amount of financial resources available for health care and reallocating financial and human resources. However, there are several other challenges for health care systems that require efficient and flexible financing mechanisms to be successfully addressed. This project undertakes a comprehensive analysis of health care financing mechanisms in Europe, by focusing on the two key stages of the process: i) budget allocation (e.g., among managing authorities, clinical areas), ii) financing of health services within a specific budget, through the definition of contracts and payment rules. We identify and examine the most prominent mechanisms underlying the relationship between the main challenges faced by health care systems (demand shocks, ageing, budget pressure) and their financing. By employing a wide range of methodological approaches, we provide evidence on the ability of existing financing mechanisms and contracts to address such challenges and study new solutions to achieve more effective, efficient and equitable health care systems.

UP2030 aims to guide cities through the socio-technical transitions required to meet their climate neutrality ambitions. It will do so by enabling a quantum leap from a ´business as usual´, project-by-project decarbonisation approach to a vision-driven, strategy-based approach that is anchored on sound projects and renewed policy development. The approach uses urban planning and design as a vehicle to create better connected, more compact, net-zero neighbourhoods in the city pilots – i.e. neighbourhoods that promote liveability and, through designing with intent, promote mitigation action. Unlike fragmented innovation processes that focus on the deployment of a specific solution to achieve incremental progress, UP2030 proposes that cities should themselves be at the centre of the innovation approach to drive transformative change. The project develops the 5UP methodological framework that supports cities in (i) UP-dating those policies, codes, regulations that need to be left behind to make room for the new vision (ii) UP-skilling, through building the capacities of the entire city stakeholder ecosystem that shall deliver actions (iii) UP-grading, through the development of solution prototypes (digital and physical) at selected neighbourhoods, (iv) UP-scaling to achieve city-wide impact by shaping the enabling governance arrangements and matching project portfolios to financial resources, and (v) UP-taking, by engaging with the Mission and sharing best practices across European cities. Inclusive participation is key throughout the project’s full cycle of activities so that real needs of communities are reflected in the city-specific visions, and co-designed interventions maximise delivery of co-benefits. As such, UP2030 will (a) have a measured positive impact on spatial justice in the pilots, and (b) give the opportunity to citizens to participate in the transition by becoming agents of change themselves through their sustainable behavioural shifts.