Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

More suitable housing for the elderly in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is developing more suitable housing options for elderly residents by integrating residential areas with nearby care and support services. This initiative aims to enable older adults to live ...

Sports in a new sports park along the Gaasperdammer Tunnel
Amsterdam is planning to build a new sports park along the Gaasperdammertunnel to accommodate the rapidly growing population in the Zuidoost district. Construction for the new facility is scheduled to...

WHO warns of black rain in Iran after attacks
The World Health Organization has issued a warning regarding "black rain" in Iran following recent attacks on oil installations. This phenomenon occurs when smoke from the attacks carries oil particle...

Longer waiting lists for social care and youth services in Haarlemmermeer, risk of delays due to lack of expertise
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer is experiencing longer waiting lists for youth care and social support services due to a staff shortage caused by measures against false self-employment. These delay...

More senior housing under construction, but not nearly enough to solve shortage
Amsterdam built 480 elderly homes last year, nearly reaching its annual target of 500, though local officials estimate that 1,239 homes are actually required annually to resolve the shortage. The init...

Health Council: COVID vaccine age limit can be raised from 60 to 70
The Health Council of the Netherlands recommends increasing the age limit for the annual COVID-19 booster vaccination from 60 to 70 years. People in their 60s will no longer be automatically eligible ...

Fake pharmacist from Haarlem arrested for stealing heavy painkillers
A woman from Haarlem was arrested for posing as a pharmacy worker to steal oxycodone from elderly residents by claiming their medication was contaminated. The suspect carried out the scam at least six...

From dirt to cat litter, my child puts everything in their mouth: What should I do?
Child therapist Nicole Groot explains that it is a common part of development for young children to put various objects, such as soil or cat litter, in their mouths. The article provides guidance for ...
Registration opens for ten-week pregnancy course from GGD Zaanstreek-Waterland region
GGD Zaanstreek-Waterland has opened registration for a 10-week pregnancy course titled 'Relaxed pregnancy and prepared childbirth' for residents in the Zaanstreek and Edam-Volendam regions. The progra...

Huis ter Hagen in Driehuis gripped by persistent flu virus: ‘We lost many people, even during COVID it wasn’t this bad’
The Huis ter Hagen care home in Driehuis experienced a severe two-week flu outbreak that resulted in numerous deaths and the closure of shared facilities. Staff reported that the impact was exceptiona...

Doctors sound alarm over shops selling vapes to schoolchildren: ‘Unimaginable. Would you sell these products to your children too?’
Doctors in the Netherlands are warning that many physical shops are illegally selling vapes and cigarettes to minors. New research indicates that 38 percent of students successfully purchase vapes at ...

Young people on welfare more often have severe problems preventing them from working
The number of young people receiving welfare benefits has been increasing for three years, with individuals staying in the system for longer periods. These young adults often face complex mental healt...

Rijnstate doctor fathered at least 16 donor children with own sperm
A gynecologist at the Rijnstate hospital in Arnhem fathered at least 16 children using his own sperm during the 1970s and 1980s. The discovery follows an independent investigation triggered by the doc...
‘Is it weird if I don’t want sex?’: the questions men ask sexologists the most
Sexologists report that men often struggle with performance pressure and lack of sexual desire, contrary to the effortless depictions of sex in media. The article explores the most common questions me...

Nodding off at your laptop? Sleep expert shares tips for the perfect night's sleep
Sleep therapist Dr. Ingrid Verbeek discusses the signs of sleep deprivation and provides tips for achieving better sleep quality. The article highlights how to identify if you are not getting enough r...

ZERO23 opens fourth location on Lorentzplein: ‘The village feel remains in the big city’
Bram Crans and Melvin Schol have opened the fourth branch of their Personal Health studio, ZERO23, at Lorentzplein in Haarlem. The new location officially opened this past Saturday following a long-te...
Swimming lessons for one euro in Amsterdam: What you need to know if you have a Stadspas
Starting in September, Amsterdam residents with a Stadspas can attend swimming lessons for only one euro per session. The initiative by the municipality aims to improve water safety in the canal-fille...
The pink rabbit suit on Dr. Rutger’s examination table begs for help: ‘My pee-pee hurts’
A man wearing a pink rabbit costume sought medical help from Doctor Rutger while experiencing difficulty speaking and physical distress. Upon examination, the doctor discovered the patient, Mr. Van Lo...

What can local politics do to solve youth care problems? Pletterij hosts debate evening
Debate center De Pletterij is hosting an evening on March 11 to discuss youth care challenges and how municipal politics can address them. The event is organized in anticipation of the upcoming munici...

Running and walking civil servants head to Wijk aan Zee: It’s a nice and compact loop.
The 35th Dutch Cross Country Championship for Civil Servants will take place this Wednesday in Wijk aan Zee with 2,506 participants. The event features walking tours of 10 or 15 kilometers and running...

Marian frustrated with new glasses; they end up in the drawer. Fortunately, optician Faber resolves it nicely
Marian stopped wearing her new glasses due to dissatisfaction until optician Faber provided a satisfactory solution. The article describes how the business professionally handled the customer's regret...
I was impressed by the vulnerable footballers, until the question came: ‘But Kim, who are we missing in this story?’
The premiere of the documentary 'Real men don't cry' featured professional footballers and sports media members discussing mental health issues like performance pressure and loneliness. The event aime...
Bestselling author Myrthe freed from the negative voice in her head: ‘Why would I still take the exit to hell?’
Dutch author Myrthe van der Meer has overcome a persistent negative inner voice following her time in a psychiatric ward, an experience that inspired her bestselling book and recent film adaptation, P...
Why do women have orgasms less often? This misunderstanding plays a major role
Sexologist Judith Price discusses the orgasm gap in the Netherlands, where women experience orgasms less frequently during sex than men. She argues that this sexual inequality contributes to broader s...
Fay and Fleur lost their mother to hereditary breast cancer, but they can be saved
Fay and Fleur discovered that a hereditary risk for aggressive breast cancer was known in their family but kept from their mother, who died of the disease. Now that the sisters are aware of the geneti...

Motorcyclist seriously injured after collision with car on Siciliëweg in the Westelijk Havengebied
A motorcyclist was seriously injured on Saturday night following a collision with a car on the Siciliëweg in Amsterdam's Westelijk Havengebied. Emergency services and a Mobile Medical Team responded ...
‘Usually starts as a fairy tale’: how to recognize a toxic relationship?
Publicist Yesim Candan has released a book aimed at raising awareness about the warning signs of toxic relationships to help prevent femicide. The publication highlights that an (ex-)partner is respon...

Three percent more happiness
In his weekly column, Wouter Klootwijk explores the relationship between food and well-being. He specifically examines whether it is possible for individuals to increase their happiness through their ...

Part of Wildlands Emmen zoo closed after suspected bird flu case
Part of Wildlands Adventure Zoo in Emmen has been closed following a suspected bird flu outbreak. The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature is investigating the situation ...
Caregiving is still a woman's task: 'Men are seriously shortchanging themselves'
Only 10 percent of fathers in the Netherlands share caregiving responsibilities equally with their partners, leaving the majority of domestic work to women. Experts suggest this imbalance is detriment...