The Council for Public Health & Society (Raad voor Volksgezondheid & Samenleving, RVS) is the primary strategic advisory board for the Dutch government and parliament on matters at the intersection of health, care and society. The Council operates independently and provides both solicited and unsolicited advice.
The Council has ten members who are appointed on the basis of their broad expertise and experience from different professional backgrounds. The Council is chaired by Prof. dr. Jet Bussemaker and is supported by a secretariat of staff members. Together they bring expertise, experience and fresh perspectives to the work of the RVS.
Vision and mission
The RVS aims to strengthen public policy and decision-making by contributing independent strategic advice. We do this by identifying key topics, providing new insights on those topics and thereby shaping the direction of the political and social debate. We pay close attention to how policy works in practice in order to formulate relevant recommendations. We offer breadth, depth and renewal, and encourage reflection on the balance of public values. In this way, the RVS seeks to make a difference.
The Council for Public Health & Society (RVS) RVS inspires and advises on how we can live & care in the future.
Our work is grounded in research and evidence, and enriched by insights from practice. We engage with people from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise: professionals in care and social practice, experts by experience, researchers from different fields of expertise, social initiatives, policymakers and administrators.
International relevance
Although our mandate is national, many of the themes we address (such as ageing populations, prevention, social inequalities and the future of care) are relevant in other countries. The Council exchanges ideas and insights with international organisations and similar advisory bodies abroad, contributing Dutch perspectives and learning from experiences elsewhere.
Publications
Most RVS reports are published in Dutch, but a selection is available in English. These can be found in the publications section of this website.
Contact us
For questions, media requests or international cooperation, please contact the RVS: