FoodFirst Health, a not-for-profit healthcare provider and subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize, has entered into a strategic collaboration with digital health company Liva Healthcare to bring evidence-based, reimbursed treatment for Type 2 Diabetes to patients across the Netherlands.
This partnership combines FoodFirst Health’s local healthcare expertise and medical responsibility with Liva Healthcare’s evidence-based digital health programme. The shared goal: to empower patients with Type 2 Diabetes to sustainably improve their health through reimbursed behavioural treatment - fully integrated into chronic care.
Shared mission, complementary strengths
Both organisations share a societal mission: to reduce the burden of chronic diseases by embedding evidence-based behavioural interventions within regular healthcare. FoodFirst Health focuses on integrating these treatment models into the care system, with a reimbursed, medically responsible offering for patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Liva Healthcare brings over a decade of experience delivering digital coaching programmes across Europe, backed by clinical trials and real-world outcomes. This collaboration strengthens Liva’s presence in the Netherlands and offers Dutch patients access to an internationally validated approach - now tailored to the Dutch care system.
“We are excited to collaborate with FoodFirst Health to bring reimbursed behavioural treatment for chronic diseases into the heart of Dutch healthcare,” said Martin Paarse, CEO of Liva. “Together, we are raising the standard of care by combining digital innovation with medical supervision.”
A reimbursed treatment programme for Type 2 Diabetes
The new programme, available nationwide via the FoodFirst Health app, offers structured behavioural treatment for people with Type 2 Diabetes. After referral by their GP and a screening by FoodFirst Health, eligible patients are enrolled in a personalised treatment path focused on sustainable behavioural change and improving medical outcomes.
The programme combines digital coaching with online consultations from certified dietitians. One of the primary clinical goals is to improve blood sugar regulation in patients.
“Everyone agrees that behavioural change is essential to managing chronic illness - but it only works if we make it part of real care,” said Jan Peter Larsen, Business Director of FoodFirst Health. “This is a treatment programme with measurable health outcomes - not prevention - and we are proud to deliver it within the existing care infrastructure.”
Now open to GP referrals nationwide
Since its launch in April, the programme has been open to referrals from general practitioners across the Netherlands. FoodFirst Health welcomes collaboration with GP organisations (RHO’s), care groups, and insurers to ensure integration into chronic care pathways and to increase impact for patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
About FoodFirst Health
FoodFirst Health is a Wtza-licensed, not-for-profit healthcare provider focused on integrating behavioural treatment into mainstream care. With a strong social mission, FoodFirst Health works to make evidence-based treatment for chronic diseases - such as Type 2 Diabetes - accessible, reimbursed, and inclusive.
About Liva Healthcare
Liva Healthcare is a leading digital health company based in Copenhagen. Its behavior change programmes are used across Europe to prevent and treat chronic conditions through scalable, one-on-one digital coaching. The Liva programme is evidence-based and designed to support long-term lifestyle change through its innovative digital platform combined with human support.
Learn more about the Liva platform: https://www.livahealthcare.com/what-we-do
