10,000 Maastricht and Heuvelland residents over the age of 40 will participate in a large-scale scientific study into the relationship between chronic diseases. With funding now finalised, the project (known as the 'Maastricht Study') can start next year. This ten-year study will employ approximately 250 people.

Multidisciplinary scientific research will be conducted into type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic illnesses as well as the relationship between these disorders. The 10,000 research participants, half of whom are diabetic, will be closely monitored over the next ten years.