Health News in English

Opposition seeks concessions from cabinet on healthcare cuts

Dutch opposition parties are calling on the cabinet to reconsider planned healthcare budget cuts during the national budget debate. Several parties requested that Minister Sophie Hermans show willingn...

City air getting cleaner, yet quality still comparable to passive smoking 4 cigarettes a day

Air quality in Amsterdam has improved significantly since 2010, yet current pollution levels are still equivalent to smoking four cigarettes a day. The city aims to achieve zero-emission mobility by 2...

Depressed and anxious: health of workers in the Netherlands is declining significantly

Recent data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reveals a significant decline in the health of working individuals across the country. The findings indicate that employees are increasingly struggling wi...

MDL Foundation wants more men in major cities to take bowel cancer test

The MDL Fund is launching a campaign this Thursday to encourage more men in major cities to participate in colon cancer screenings. The initiative follows reports of alarmingly low participation rates...

Dutch Parliament allocates funds for defibrillators in poor neighborhoods

The Dutch House of Representatives has approved a proposal to allocate additional funding for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in low-income neighborhoods. The initiative, led by GroenLinks-Pv...

Being muscular is the new ideal, but it can become an obsession: how to recognize bigorexia

The article explores the increasing popularity of weight training among young men and the potential for this trend to lead to bigorexia, an obsession with muscle mass. Sports physician Ruben De Gendt ...

Hearing on elevator problems: "Could not do groceries"

A hearing was held at the Stopera in Amsterdam to address frequent elevator breakdowns that have left many residents stranded in their homes. Stakeholders, including residents, housing corporations, a...

Doctors Without Borders expands emergency aid in Lebanon

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is expanding its emergency aid in Lebanon as tens of thousands of people flee Israeli airstrikes. The organization reports mass displacement following Israeli military or...

Architectural gem becomes growing source of mold for young family. Who dares to repair the shattered glass facade?

Bas and Marjolijn's home is suffering from severe mold and moisture damage after its iconic glass dome spontaneously cracked. Although the homeowners' association (VvE) recognizes the architectural va...

Many more people visiting GP for hay fever than in previous years

Research institute Nivel reported a sharp increase in hay fever cases in the Netherlands, with 142 per 100,000 people visiting a GP last week. This figure is more than double the 62 cases per 100,000 ...

Adults with city pass can also get swimming lessons for one euro

Starting in September, low-income adults in Amsterdam with a city pass can access swimming lessons for one euro to encourage water safety among those who never learned. The initiative, announced by Al...

RIVM: Flu wave seems to have passed its peak

The RIVM reports that the flu wave in the Netherlands appears to have passed its peak, following a slight decrease in GP visits for flu-like symptoms. Last week, the number of cases dropped from 68 to...

The Hague GP practice assistant acquitted of sexual abuse

A 60-year-old practice assistant at a medical clinic in The Hague has been acquitted of committing indecent acts against two patients. The District Court of The Hague ruled that there was insufficient...

Air in Amsterdam becoming cleaner

Air quality in Amsterdam has significantly improved over the past 15 years. Recent data and maps illustrate a consistent trend towards cleaner air within the city.

Higher HPV rates among women without access to population screening

Doctors of the World reports that the human papillomavirus (HPV) is more prevalent among women who lack access to national cervical cancer screenings. Based on 555 tests conducted between 2022 and 202...

Pain expert on shingles: One of the most painful conditions you can have

Pain expert Mienke Rijsdijk explains shingles, a painful condition caused by the chickenpox virus that affects one in four people in the Netherlands. The article details the symptoms of the condition,...

Ill Vincent Croiset continues acting and gets married: ‘It felt bitter, things were going so well’

Injury-plagued Jeff Hardeveld missed 139 matches, but is now on the brink of a cup final: ‘I never thought about quitting’

Telstar player Jeff Hardeveld is on the verge of reaching a cup final after overcoming three major knee injuries that caused him to miss 139 matches. Ahead of the semifinal against AZ, the defender re...

New domestic violence support center opened in Amsterdam-Amstelland

The Amsterdam-Amstelland region has opened a new support center called Filomena to assist victims of domestic violence and child abuse. Located on Elisabeth Wolffstraat in Amsterdam, the center provid...

Free lead check for your Amsterdam garden: arrange it before summer

Amsterdam residents can apply for a free soil lead check for their gardens to ensure safety before the summer season. The initiative aims to identify potential lead contamination which can still be fo...

Suddenly awake in the middle of the night: How to fall back asleep quickly

Pulmonologist-somnologist Manu Sastry provides expert advice on how to quickly return to sleep after waking up during the night. This article marks the start of a series addressing common sleep proble...

Suddenly Naomi Verkerk’s (25) season of falling just short was over. ‘Maybe I underestimated what that does to you’

Speed skater Naomi Verkerk was forced to end her season early after withdrawing from the NK sprint tournament due to illness. After suffering from a week of flu and fever, the 25-year-old athlete was ...

Red Cross scales up in Middle East

The Red Cross is significantly expanding its emergency aid and search teams across the Middle East due to the recent escalation of violence. Help operations are currently underway in Iran, Israel, and...

Shift to nice weather makes us happy: 'But do take a moment to appreciate it'

The official start of meteorological spring has brought sunny weather following a long period of grey and rainy conditions. This shift is expected to boost people's moods and increase activity levels ...

Experts sound alarm after study: Half of teens consume 90 sugar cubes a week from soft drinks

A new study reveals that teenagers aged 12 to 16 consume an average of 9.5 glasses of sugary drinks per week, with half of them reaching 16.5 glasses. Experts are urging the new government to implemen...

Women exercising together in Schalkwijk

A low-threshold exercise group in Haarlem's Schalkwijk district is helping local women stay active in a safe and private environment specifically designed for those who prefer to exercise away from me...

What is happening to the legendary Zalencentrum Velserduin building? Personal training studio Goos PTC takes over

Personal training studio Goos PTC has begun renovating the former Zalencentrum Velserduin building on Velserduinplein. Co-owner Jeffrey Goos expects the transformation to be completed and ready for us...

11 red flags to recognize a toxic relationship: ‘It starts as a fairytale, it ends in intimate terror’

Publicist Yesim Candan has released a book identifying eleven red flags of toxic relationships to help prevent femicide and intimate terror. The work highlights that a woman is murdered every eight da...

Alderman: Consequences of prolonged elevator failures 'unacceptable' but landlords responsible

Amsterdam Alderman Zita Pels has labeled long-term elevator malfunctions in apartment buildings as unacceptable after a resident missed chemotherapy due to a broken lift. While the city maintains that...

The sun feels good, but how harmful is it in March? 'UV intensity can already be high in spring'

The Netherlands is expecting spring-like weather this week with temperatures reaching 18 degrees and high sun intensity. Experts warn that UV levels can be strong even in early March, suggesting the e...