Kor Spoelstra

Kor Spoelstra is a newly appointed Addiction and Lifestyle Professor specializing in applied sciences. His work integrates research, education, and practice to address addiction and promote healthy lifestyles. He emphasizes the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in addiction, advocating for systemic interventions in healthcare and societal environments.

Key projects include empowering healthcare professionals to address lifestyle issues and aligning with the Dutch 'Coalitie Leefstijl in de Zorg' initiative to mainstream lifestyle interventions in healthcare by 2025. Spoelstra critiques societal norms around unhealthy habits, citing alcohol acceptance and fast-food proliferation as barriers to health.

He draws on his experience as a street psychiatrist in Groningen, highlighting personal stories like an alcoholic’s emotional dependency on substances. He champions community-driven solutions, such as Iceland’s model, which reduced youth drug use through social cohesion and accessible activities.