Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Miscommunication and unread emails lead to errors with hantavirus patient at Radboudumc
Staff at the Radboudumc hospital in Nijmegen were potentially exposed to the hantavirus in May due to miscommunication and errors in handling biological samples. The hospital confirmed that issues inc...
Pregnant influencer Nicola apologizes after saying 'champagne should be fine': 'I have educated myself now'
Influencer Nicola Ebbink has apologized after receiving criticism for suggesting that consuming champagne during pregnancy is acceptable. Following further research into the health risks, she expresse...
Increasing number of twenty-somethings on long-term disability due to mental health issues
The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) reports a significant increase in the number of people in their twenties receiving disability benefits due to long-term work incapacity. This trend is primari...
Tetanus can be fatal, but vaccination protects: here is when you need a booster shot
Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can enter the body through wounds or animal bites. While vaccination provides protection, individuals may require booster shots to maintain immunity over ...
How to keep summer fun? ‘Relax, instead of planning a full program of activities’
Many parents feel pressured to fill the summer vacation with numerous activities and constant entertainment for their children. Experts suggest that rather than over-planning an animation program, foc...
Dry summers will significantly change the Netherlands: bulb fields will disappear
Delta Commissioner Co Verdaas warns that increasingly dry summers will cause significant changes to the Dutch landscape, including the potential disappearance of iconic flower fields within twenty yea...
When can you change your surname in the Netherlands? 5 questions answered
Changing a surname in the Netherlands is a complex legal process that people may seek for personal reasons, such as distancing themselves from a parent. Specialist Françoise van Gerwen answers key qu...
How do chefs survive the heatwave? ‘We once had air conditioning, but it was no match for all the heat sources’
High number of sick leave reports in healthcare sector costs at least 5.8 billion euros annually
The healthcare sector in the Netherlands faces annual costs of at least 5.8 billion euros due to high employee absenteeism. With an average absence rate of 7.5 percent, healthcare workers have the hig...
Rinsing your bum crack after a haircut? This surgeon says it's not a bad idea
Surgeons Robert Smeenk and Boudewijn Toorenvliet have developed a less invasive treatment for a recurring and often embarrassing inflammatory condition caused by stray hairs. Their research offers a n...
'Medical miracle' Julian (22) passes away: 'Money for the oncologist rather than flowers'
Julian de Kievit, a 22-year-old from Hoofddorp, has passed away after battling brainstem cancer for twelve years, far exceeding his initial two-year prognosis. Known for his fundraising efforts for ch...
How to cope with the loss of an unborn child: What experts suggest helps
Experts explain that the grief associated with the loss of an unborn child is significant regardless of whether it is classified as a miscarriage or a premature birth. They recommend methods such as c...
Suffering from motion sickness? This hidden setting on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook can help
Apple has introduced a hidden feature on iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks designed to help users mitigate motion sickness while reading or scrolling during travel. This setting aims to reduce sensory conf...
Pressure on maternity care even greater during summer months: 'Quality care no longer possible'
Maternity care in the Netherlands is facing increased pressure during the summer months due to long-standing staffing shortages. This issue is being felt nationwide, with some healthcare providers in ...
Why going on vacation together is good for your relationship: Eight hours in the car leads to conversation
Going on vacation can serve as a form of relationship therapy by allowing couples to disconnect from daily routines and engage in meaningful conversations. Expert Moji Shahvali suggests that shared tr...
Gordon reaches goal for Men's Health: Not an Arnold Schwarzenegger body
The 58-year-old singer and presenter Gordon posed for the cover of Men's Health this Wednesday. He achieved his fitness goals through a strict diet and intense workout routine, though he noted he did ...
Man in wheelchair set on fire in Utrecht recovers from severe injuries: 'You feel those 24 hours a day'
J&J settles for 5.5 billion dollars over claims baby powder causes cancer
Pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson has reached a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve numerous lawsuits alleging that its baby powder and other products cause ovarian cancer. This agreement aims t...
Radio 538 presenter Hannelore Zwitserlood underwent gastric bypass surgery: I am now Miss Piggy light
Radio 538 presenter Hannelore Zwitserlood has opened up about her weight loss journey after undergoing gastric bypass surgery three years ago. Following a 55-kilogram weight loss, she has released a b...
Gastric bypass surgery can be lifesaving but is no quick fix: the impact is enormous
Every year, between 10,000 and 12,000 gastric bypass surgeries are performed in the Netherlands. While weight-loss medication has stabilized these numbers, the procedure remains a life-saving interven...
From air conditioning to 40 degrees outdoors is a shock to the body: Rome's heat plan looks beyond air conditioning
Singer Carly Simon has Parkinson's disease: 'I have learned to live with it'
American singer Carly Simon has announced that she has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The 83-year-old artist shared in a letter to her fans that she has learned to live with the condition.
German anatomist and Body Worlds founder Gunther von Hagens (81) has died
German anatomist and inventor of the plastination technique, Gunther von Hagens, has passed away at the age of 81 due to a brain hemorrhage. He was widely known for creating the Body Worlds anatomical...
How to keep your teeth as healthy as possible: How diet can help
As the Netherlands faces a looming shortage of dentists, experts are highlighting the importance of maintaining dental health through proper oral care and diet. Dietitian Sanne Mouha and dentist Vince...
Mrs. Derksen enlists Dr. Rutger for her own marital problems: ‘You know what you have to do’
During a medical consultation for a mole, a patient named Mrs. Derksen attempts to pressure Dr. Rutger into intervening in her husband's snoring issues. She insists that the doctor follow her specific...
Addiction help via your employer: ‘That 5,000 euros is nothing compared to the costs of long-term absenteeism’
Large organizations in the Netherlands are increasingly helping employees with addictions by connecting them to specialized mental healthcare services. This initiative aims to reduce long-term absente...
Dentists sound alarm: We are heading for a dental care crisis
Dentists in the Netherlands are warning of an impending crisis in dental care due to an aging population and a decrease in the number of elderly patients with dentures. The professional association st...
Not happy when the sun shines: how to recognize a summer slump or summer depression
While many enjoy the summer season, some individuals experience a summer dip or summer depression due to the long, warm days. Psychologist Leslie Hodge provides insight into the causes of these mental...
Fire department works to stay ahead of blazes in parched Veluwe region
Due to persistent drought conditions, the fire department is taking proactive measures to prevent wildfires in the Veluwe region of the Netherlands. Although the country has avoided major fires seen i...
Caregivers face increased workload as healthcare staff go on vacation
Caregivers in the Netherlands are facing an increased workload during the summer holiday period. As professional care staff take leave, family members must take over additional responsibilities to ens...