FAQ Health Monitor 2024

What is the purpose of the monitor?

Municipalities in the Netherlands have a legal obligation to monitor the health of their residents. This statutory task is carried out for the municipalities by the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD). The GGD does this at least once every four years. The GGD Health Monitor 2024 will be used by the GGDs to provide insight into the physical and mental health of adults at the national, regional and municipal levels. The GGDs will also compare the results with the results of previous monitors.

The monitor results will form an important basis for the development and implementation of local health policy for municipalities. For example, the results may show that more help is needed for certain groups, or that extra facilities are required in a municipality or neighbourhood. Through cooperation with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the monitor will also provide information about the health of people in the Netherlands as a whole.

Which organisations are involved in the monitor?

The GGDs, the public health department of the municipality of Utrecht, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) are together carrying out this monitor. Ipsos I&O will collect the data on behalf of these parties.

CBS receives data from other organisations – such as data on income and population composition - in addition to the data gathered for this monitor. CBS collates this data. This is useful for the GGD because it means fewer questions need to be added to the GGD Health monitor. Please note that no personal details can be identified in the merged datasets sent to the GGDs by CBS.

What is the role of Ipsos I&O?

Ipsos I&O has been asked to carry out the field work for the GGD Health Monitor 2024. This means that Ipsos I&O will send the invitations asking people to complete the questionnaire and will collect the answers. To be able to send the invitations, CBS will provide Ipsos I&O with names and addresses. This data will be erased three months after completion of the monitor, in compliance with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

When and where will the monitor be carried out?

The monitor will be conducted in the whole of the Netherlands and the questionnaire can be filled in between 9 September until at least 8 December 2024.

How will the monitor participants be selected?

The target population for the monitor is persons aged 18 and over who are residents of the Netherlands. CBS will select people from the Personal Records Database (BRP) for participation in the GGD Health Monitor 2024 at random; this is a random sample. The selected persons together provide an average representation of the Dutch population. Temporary residents who are registered in the BRP can also be invited for the GGD Health Monitor.

The people in the random sample will receive an invitation to fill in a questionnaire from the regional GGD. The questionnaire can be filled in either online or on paper. People who are not selected will not receive a questionnaire and cannot take part in the monitor.

Why is it important to take part?

The questionnaire gives us insight in how you are doing. Are you healthy, do you feel happy, and are you satisfied with your local neigbourhood? By participating in this study and providing answers you are giving insight to the municipality and GGD in regards to the overall health and wellbeing of the residents. 
To obtain an accurate picture of the health, well-being and lifestyle of residents of the Netherlands aged 18 and over, it is important that as many people as possible complete the questionnaire. If not enough people complete the questionnaire, the results will not be a good representation of the whole of the target population, making the research results less accurate, or even inaccurate.

If the GGD and municipality know how you and other residents are doing, the municipality can draw up targeted policies and take action to improve the health and well-being of residents. For example, the results may show that more help is needed for certain groups, or that extra facilities are required in a municipality or neighbourhood.

What is in it for me?

By answering questions about your health, you are more likely to think about your own health and well-being. As a result, you may have questions about your health. For this reason, sources of information providing reliable health information are included at the end of the online questionnaire. These websites can provide answers to questions that you may have after filling in the questionnaire. Finally, by completing the questionnaire you have a chance to win one of the 3 Choice Giftcards worth 400 euros or one of the 10 Choice Giftcards worth 50 euros.

Where can I find more information?

For more information or if you have questions about this health monitor, please contact the Ipsos I&O helpdesk. You can call Ipsos I&O free of charge on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00), or you can send an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com.

Why have I received an invitation?

We have sent invitations to approximately 1.5 million residents of the Netherlands, aged 18 and over to take part in the GGD Health Monitor 2024. Every resident in the Netherlands is registered with their municipality. CBS has selected people at random from this register to take part in this monitor. If you have received an invitation, you are one of these people. The selected persons together represent the total group of residents aged 18 and over in the municipality. Your name and address details will be used to send the invitation and any reminders to complete the questionnaire. This data will be erased three months after completion of the monitor.

Do I need to give permission somewhere for you to process my data?

No. By completing the questionnaire (and sending it, if you fill it in on paper), you agree to participate in the GGD Health Monitor 2024. We will remind you of this when you start the questionnaire. Note that you do not have to answer a certain question if you do not want to, you may adjust your answers, and you may stop filling in the questionnaire at any time. Your answers will be processed confidentially, will be stored safely and will not be shared with any party that is not named in the privacy statement.

If you complete the questionnaire online but decide to stop filling it in, any answers that you have already provided will be saved. Should you decide that you do not want your answers to be used in the monitor, we can erase your answers. For this, you can contact Ipsos I&O at NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com or on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00). Once you have provided your login details, Ipsos I&O will make sure that your answers are erased.

Do I have to take part in the monitor?

No, participation in the monitor is entirely voluntary, although we would very much appreciate it if you do take part. Your participation is important, because the results of the monitor will be used by the municipality to better align its policies and activities with the needs and requirements of its residents.

How can I take part?

You can fill in the questionnaire online or on paper, although online is quicker as you automatically skip the questions that do not apply to you. Moreover, the online questionnaire is available in English, the paper questionnaire is not. The invitation letter contains your personal login code; fill this in at www.startvragenlijst.nl/ggd to start the questionnaire.

Do you prefer to fill in the questionnaire on paper? Then wait to participate until you receive a paper questionnaire from us. Once you fill in the paper questionnaire, you can return it in the enclosed return envelope without a stamp.

How long does it take to fill in the questionnaire?

Some people are quicker than others, but it should take about 30 to 40 minutes.

I’m doing fine, so do I still need to fill in the questionnaire?

Yes please! The aim of this monitor is to get a good idea of how everyone aged 18 and over in the municipality is doing, not just people who are not doing so well. If only these people fill in the questionnaire, it will look like there are a lot of problems in a municipality, even though this may not be the case for everyone.

Why have I received a reminder?

We send a reminder to make sure that as many people as possible complete the questionnaire. We use the login code or the code on the back of the paper questionnaire to work out who has not yet filled in the questionnaire. These people receive a reminder. You will therefore also receive a reminder if you have started to fill in the questionnaire but have not yet completed it. Note that all address data will be erased three months after completion of the monitor.

I have received a reminder but I have already filled in the questionnaire, why is that?

We probably received or processed your questionnaire after the reminders had already been sent. You do not need to contact Ipsos I&O or the GGD about this, and you can throw the reminder away. You may also have received a reminder if you have started to fill in the questionnaire but have not yet completed it. In this case, please carry on filling in the questionnaire and complete it. If you leave the questionnaire then log in again, you can continue where you left off.

I can’t log in, what should I do?

Perhaps the Caps Lock is turned on or you have used capital letters in the login code when you should use small letters. You should type the address www.startvragenlijst.nl/ggd directly into the search window of your internet browser and not into a search engine (such as Google). If you are unable to log in, please contact Ipsos I&O at NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com or on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

I have lost my login code; can I get a new one?

We cannot send a new login code, but you can wait for the reminder letter, which you will receive about three weeks after the invitation. This reminder contains the login code.

My computer has stopped working, what now?

Do not worry if you are unable to carry on filling in the questionnaire because of a problem with your computer or because the page has timed out. You can simply log in again after ten minutes and carry on where you were (the system needs this time to recognise that you are no longer filling in the questionnaire). The answers that you have filled in so far will be saved automatically, so you don’t have to start the questionnaire again.

I stopped halfway, what now?

You can stop filling in the questionnaire at any time. You can then simply log in again and carry on where you were. The answers that you have filled in so far will be saved automatically, so you don’t have to start the questionnaire again.

I have lost the return envelope, what now?
You can send back the questionnaire in a normal envelope without a postage stamp. The address is: Ipsos I&O, Antwoordnummer 1104, 7500 VB Enschede.

Is it possible to withdraw from the study after I have completed the questionnaire?

By completing the questionnaire, you agree to participate in the GGD Health Monitor 2024. Note that you do not have to answer a certain question if you do not want to, you may adjust your answers, and you may stop filling in the questionnaire at any time. If you want to stop halfway through and do not want the answers you have entered so far to be saved, you will have to go back through the questionnaire to delete your answers. An explanation of how to do this can be found at the start of the questionnaire. You can also contact Ipsos I&O to have your data deleted. This is possible until 8 December 2024. To do so, you can contact Ipsos I&O at NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com or on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00). Once you have provided your login details, Ipsos I&O will ensure that your answers are erased.

Can someone else complete the questionnaire for me?

No, it is important that the questionnaire is filled in by the person to whom the invitation was sent. Please therefore check that it is your name on the invitation letter. If this is not the case, please give the questionnaire to the person it is addressed to. People are selected to take part in the monitor at random, and the selected persons together provide an average representation of people in the whole of the municipality. Are you unable to complete the questionnaire on your own? If so, you can ask a family member or someone else to help, but you must fill in your answers. You can also contact Ipsos I&O at NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com or on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00) if you need help filling in the questionnaire.

Can I get help filling out the questionnaire?

Yes, a helpdesk employee can assist you with filling out the questionnaire. You can get assistance in various languages. You can call the helpdesk (Ipsos I&O) free of charge on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

Would you like to register for the GGD Health Panel?

If you would like to participate in the GGD Health Panel, you can send an email to panel@vggm.nl. Participating in the GGD Health Panel is without obligation. As a member of the Health Panel, you will receive short questionnaires on topics in the field of health several times a year. The questionnaires of the Health Panel are in Dutch.

What happens to the data that is collected?

The aim of the Health Monitor 2024 is to monitor the health of adults over a period of time. To enable comparisons to be made with this and previous monitors, we need to save the results. We have taken the required technical and organisational measures to ensure that the data is protected, and the data that we store will not contain any directly identifiable information.

Names and addresses are used by Ipsos I&O to send the invitations and reminders to complete the questionnaire and inform prize winners. This data cannot be linked to the answers provided in the questionnaire. Names and addresses will be erased three months after completion of the monitor.

What about privacy?

We will of course process your answers with the utmost care. Your privacy is protected as a participant in this study in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). This means that the collected data will be handled and processed in strict confidence.

We are not interested in information on individual persons. The research results will only present data on the total group of residents aged 18 and over or subgroups such as the elderly or young people. We will not present any results on individual persons, and your answers will therefore never be published.

Would you like to know more about how we handle the privacy of participants? Read our privacy statement.

How did you obtain my name and address?

Every resident in the Netherlands is registered with their municipality. Municipalities are required by law to provide official government agencies with information from the municipal population register. For the GGD Health Monitor 2024, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) received data from the municipal population register. Using this data, CBS selected people for participation in the GGD Health Monitor 2024 at random, who are therefore representative of the population. This group of residents has been sent an invitation to fill in the questionnaire.

How can you check whether I have filled in the questionnaire?

For the online questionnaire, the login code is registered so that the computer can see whether or not you have completed the questionnaire. For the paper copy of the questionnaire, a bar code is printed on every page, which is read by the computer. These bar codes and login codes are compared with the list of participants, based on which reminders are sent out. Note that all address data will be erased once the monitor has been completed.

Do other people know what I have filled in?

We use your name and address to send the invitation and the reminders. Also, if you win one of the Choice Giftcards, your name and address will be used to send you the price. The data file containing the names and addresses is not linked to your answers and will be erased on completion of the monitor. The research results only describe the total group of residents aged 18 and over or subgroups such as the elderly or young people, and not individuals. Your individual answers will therefore not be published. Would you like to know more about how we handle the privacy of participants in this study? Read the privacy statement.

How is my privacy guaranteed when data is combined with other data?

The answers provided in this monitor will be combined with information sent to CBS by other organisations, such as data on income and population composition. As a result, the GGD can reduce the number of questions in the questionnaire. No persons can be identified in the aggregated information that GGDs receive from CBS. With the combined data, CBS can also weigh the results of the GGD Health Monitor. Weighing is necessary to ensure that the participants are a good reflection of the population. Population groups that participated relatively little are then counted more heavily in the results. Groups that have participated relatively often are counted less heavily.
Every participant is assigned a unique number, based on which the data is combined. This is an automated process in which no personal information such as name and address is used.

What happens with my data for the GGD Health Panel?

GGD Gelderland-Midden has a health panel. This is a group of residents from the region who participate a few times a year in short, Dutch digital surveys about health and issues that may affect it. After completing the questionnaire, you can sign up for our health panel by sending an email to panel@vggm.nl. This data will not be linked to your answers to the GGD Health Monitor 2024. You do not commit to anything with your registration. You can decide not to participate at any time. You can unsubscribe by sending an email to panel@vggm.nl. 

Which topics does the questionnaire deal with?

The questionnaire deals with the following topics:

• General information: age, sex, household composition, education
• Health: perceived health, chronic disorders, long covid / post-covid
• Well-being: mental health, stress, resilience, control of one’s life
• Social contacts: loneliness, social support
• Lifestyle: height and weight, exercise, nutrition, use of sleeping pills or sedatives
• Substance use: smoking, vaping, alcohol, drug use
• Participation: informal care, volunteer work, social activities, membership of sports club, health literacy skills, digital skills and independence
• Negative thoughts: suicidal thoughts
• Living environment: noise pollution, sleep disturbance, odour pollution, satisfaction with living environment, access to cooler areas during hot spells, home ownership, wood burning activities, indoor climate at home
• Work and financial situation: work, difficulties to make ends meet, debts
• Acceptance: LGBTIQA+ acceptance, discrimination, social exclusion

Why do you want to know my level of education?

Municipalities are interested in the differences in health between different groups of adults. This could show, for example, that more help is needed for certain groups. This is why the questionnaire contains a number of questions about your background, including your level of education.

I would like more information about one or more topics in the questionnaire, is that possible?

Yes, that is possible. If you fill in the questionnaire online, you will see a page at the end of the questionnaire listing websites where you can find more information on the topics in this questionnaire.

What will the monitor results be used for?

Municipalities will use the monitor results to develop health policy. Municipalities and the GGD may also use the results to organise specific activities to improve the health and well-being of local residents. Through cooperation with RIVM and CBS, the monitor will also provide information on the health of people in the Netherlands as a whole.

Where can I find the results of the monitor?

The monitor results will be published in mid-2025 on the CBS Statline, RIVM Statline, VZinfo (RIVM), and Gelderland-Midden in cijfers websites. The results will only present data relating to the whole of the group of participants aged 18 and over or subgroups such as the elderly or young people. We will not present any results relating to individual persons, and your answers will therefore not be published.

Will I also be informed of the monitor results?

No, it is not possible to inform the participants of the results, as the addresses of the participants will be erased 3 months after completion of the study. The monitor results will be published in mid-2025 on the CBS Statline, RIVM Statline, VZinfo (RIVM) and Gelderland-Midden in cijfers websites.

I cannot or do not want to participate.

It is possible that you cannot or do not want to fill in the questionnaire. In this case, please send an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com stating your login code, which you will find in the invitation letter, or your address. You may also call 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

I have started but do not want to finish the questionnaire.

You do not have to answer a certain question if you do not want to, you may adjust your answers, and you may stop filling in the questionnaire at any time. If you stop filling in the questionnaire, any answers that you have already provided will be saved. Should you decide that you do not want your answers to be used in the study, we can erase your answers. This is possible until 8 December 2024. To do so, you can contact Ipsos I&O at NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com or on 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00). Once you have provided your login details, Ipsos I&O will make sure that your answers are erased.

The person to whom the letter is addressed does not live at this address.

Despite the care taken to ensure that the addresses are correct, you may have received an invitation for someone who no longer lives at your address. To ensure that the GGD does not send you any further reminders, please inform us of this by sending an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com. Please include the login code, which you will find in the invitation letter, or the address. You may also call 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

The person to whom the letter is addressed is unable to fill in the questionnaire.

If the person to whom the letter is addressed is unable to fill in the questionnaire, for example due to illness, you may not want this person to continue to receive reminders. Would you please inform us of this by sending an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com? Please include the login code, which you will find in the invitation letter, or the address. You may also call 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

The person to whom the letter is addressed is not currently at this address.

The questionnaire can be completed until 8 December 2024. If the person to whom the letter is addressed will return before this date, they may still be able to fill in the questionnaire. If they will not return before this date, would you please inform us of this by sending an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com? Please include the login code, which you will find in the invitation letter, or the address. You may also call 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

The person to whom the letter is addressed has died.

Despite the care taken to ensure that the addresses are correct, you may have received an invitation letter for someone who has died. In this case, please accept our sincere apologies. To make sure that the GGD does not send reminders, would you please inform us of this by sending an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com? Please include the login code, which you will find in the invitation letter, or the address. You may also call 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00).

I do not want to receive any more post from you.

It is possible that you cannot or do not want to fill in the questionnaire of the GGD Health Monitor. Please inform us of this by sending an email to NLhelpdeskGM@ipsos.com. Please include your login code, which you will find in the invitation letter, or your address. You may also call 0800 0191 (7 days a week, 09.00 – 21.00). If you do not want the GGD to contact you for other future studies, please inform your municipality of this, as we have obtained your name and address from the personal records database (BRP).

Do I have a chance to win a reward by participating?

Anyone who participates and has completed the questionnaire (via the internet or on paper) has a chance to win one of the 3 Choice Giftcards worth 400 euros or one of the 10 Choice Giftcards worth 50 euros. The winners will be randomly selected from the participants. At the end of the questionnaire you can indicate whether you want to participate in the prize draw.

If you have won a Choice Giftcard, we will send it to you by post. We use your name and address details from the sample for this purpose. Ipsos I&O will draw the prize winners of the Choice Giftcards at the beginning of December 2024. If you don't hear from us, you are not one of the winners. The terms and conditions for the price draw can be found here.

When will I know if I have won a Choice Giftcard?

Ipsos I&O will draw prize winners in December 2024. If you are one of the winners, the Choice Giftcard will be sent to you by post after the prize draw. We use your name and address details from the sample for this purpose. If you don't hear from us, you are not one of the winners. The terms and conditions for the price draw can be found here.

Who can I approach with a complaint or comment?

When you have a complaint or comment about the GGD Health Monitor, you can contact GGD Gelderland-Midden via onderzoek@vggm.nl.

As a result of this questionnaire I would like some more information. Where can I go?

This questionnaire about your health, lifestyle, well-being and living conditions may have raised some questions. We would like to help you find reliable information:
•    You can find reliable information on health, lifestyle and illnesses at www.thuisarts.nl. 
•    Complete the test on mijnpositievegezondheid.nl to find out what you can do to improve your physical and mental health.
•    You can find an overview of reliable apps and websites that you can use right away at www.ggdappstore.nl.
•    Information about health can be found on the website of GGD Gelderland-Midden.
•    For support and facilities in your local area, please go to the municipality website.
•    If you are concerned about your health, please contact your GP.