Health News in English

Controversial plan proceeds: free abortion care for millions of women in Europe

The European Commission will provide funding to support women from EU countries where abortion is illegal by subsidizing care in other member states. Countries like the Netherlands will be able to acc...

No longer able to smell. How bad is it? Jan van der Meer from Haarlem loses his joy of life

Jan van der Meer, a 67-year-old resident of Haarlem, discovered he has a smell and taste disorder after noticing a change in the scent of his coffee. The condition has significantly impacted his quali...

Fermenting and pickling are popular again. Ode to the hungry gap

Nathalia Tensen is reviving ancient food preservation techniques like fermentation and pickling in Enkhuizen. These methods, which were historically necessary during the "hungry gap" between harvest s...

UN World Food Programme chief McCain resigns

Cindy McCain, the 71-year-old director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), has announced her resignation due to health concerns. She stated that she can no longer properly fulfill the demanding role...

Norwegian King Harald discharged from hospital

King Harald of Norway is being discharged from a hospital in Tenerife on Thursday following a quick recovery from a skin infection on his leg. The 89-year-old monarch was admitted on Tuesday evening a...

Norwegian King Harald discharged from hospital after leg skin infection

King Harald of Norway was discharged from a hospital in Tenerife on Thursday following treatment for a skin infection on his leg. The 89-year-old monarch was admitted on Tuesday and has reportedly res...

Instagram to warn parents if child shows interest in suicide

Instagram's parent company, Meta, announced that it will notify parents if their children under the age of sixteen frequently search for content related to suicide or self-harm. This new measure is in...

When does sneezing indicate an allergy? ‘Whether 1 or 2 nostrils are blocked determines what you are suffering from’

An allergist explains how to distinguish between symptoms of a common cold and allergies such as hay fever. The expert notes that specific signs, like whether one or both nostrils are congested, can h...

Captain August had to say goodbye to his ship of fools: ‘Who is really crazy here?’

After 35 years of sailing the world on the Azart, also known as the 'Ship of Fools,' Captain August Dirks was forced to part with his vessel in 2021 due to a serious illness. His story is now being sh...

My ex gave me Lego for my ‘ADHD brain.’ I only had those bricks on my mind, nothing else

An individual reflects on receiving a Lego set from a former partner as a gift meant to manage their ADHD. The partner suggested that the activity would be beneficial for the author's busy mind.

Number of births in Japan falls for tenth consecutive year

Japan's birth rate has declined for the tenth consecutive year, remaining one of the lowest in the world. The country continues to face significant challenges associated with a shrinking and aging pop...

'Do I have UF foam in my cavity walls?' Increasing demand for testing

Intra-Air is experiencing a significant increase in requests from Dutch residents concerned about urea-formaldehyde (UF) foam insulation and potential formaldehyde gas exposure in their homes. Althoug...

The Collection | The Lepers of Lazarus

The story of Lazarus, the patron saint of lepers, teaches that wealth should be shared with those in need. In contrast, the regents of the Leper House historically disagreed with this principle, creat...

‘Wopke Hoekstra, we are counting on you’: Brussels rules on sensitive abortion plan

The European Parliament in Brussels is set to vote on a controversial plan aimed at ensuring access to abortion care across all EU member states. This initiative has sparked significant debate and cou...

Brussels divided over abortion access fund

The European Commission is set to decide on a proposal to improve abortion accessibility for women across Europe. Internal divisions within the Commission have left the outcome of the upcoming vote un...

Suriname President requests departure of 3 state company directors

Surinamese President Jennifer Simons has requested the resignation of three board members from state-owned enterprises following a scandal involving lucrative contracts. The controversy centers on the...

Quarter of children and young people not attending school have mental health issues

The number of students staying home from school in Amsterdam increased last year, with 821 registered cases often linked to psychological issues like anxiety and depression. Alderman Mbarki highlighte...

Why we are happier and have more energy when the sun shines: ‘Sun reduces stress’

Sunlight significantly improves mood and energy levels by reducing stress and increasing patience. When the sun shines, people are generally happier and more motivated to participate in enjoyable acti...

Initial tests find no toxins in Dutch baby formula

Initial tests on eighteen samples of Dutch baby formula have found no measurable traces of toxins. The research results provide a positive first assessment regarding the safety of the product.

ICL to face significantly higher fines for future violations

Fertilizer factory ICL faces a tenfold increase in potential fines, rising to 1.25 million euros, if it exceeds future emission standards in the Amsterdam area. The environmental agency implemented th...

Health inspectorate investigates lidocaine post-COVID treatment at Velsen-Noord clinic

The Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) is investigating a clinic in Velsen-Noord for potentially violating medical research regulations while treating post-COVID patients with lidocaine. T...

Suffering from hay fever now? In February, it's often due to pollen from these trees

The hay fever season has begun in February as early spring weather brings tree pollen into the air. Biologist Arnold van Vliet explains that allergic reactions now occur nearly year-round, identifying...

Last chance: free lead check for your garden

Homeowners with private gardens can request a free soil check to test for lead until May 2026. This initiative is designed to help residents ensure the safety of their garden environment at no cost.

NH Helps: who will help William get his 'therapy garden' back in order?

William Jansen, a stroke survivor living in Amsterdam, is seeking volunteers via the 'NH Helpt' initiative to help restore his overgrown 'therapy garden.' Due to mobility and speech issues, he require...

Tourette Foundation launches campaign around BAFTA film I Swear

The Dutch Gilles de la Tourette Foundation is launching a campaign in late March to coincide with the Netherlands release of the BAFTA-winning film "I Swear." The movie portrays the life of Tourette a...

This is Anna, and she costs too much: ‘Our daughter is an expense’

Jonas Baart shares his struggles regarding the 24-hour care required for his 14-year-old disabled daughter, Anna, amidst constant threats to their funding. He highlights the emotional toll of a system...

Free lead testing in Amsterdam gardens: ‘Residents were shocked by the results’

Norwegian King Harald admitted to Spanish hospital with infection

King Harald of Norway was hospitalized on the Spanish island of Tenerife on Tuesday evening for treatment of an infection and dehydration. His condition is currently reported to be good as he remains ...

Cabinet investigates ban on harmful insulation foam

The Dutch cabinet is exploring options to ban the use of UF-foam as an insulation material or to withdraw associated sustainability subsidies. This investigation follows health warnings from the GGD, ...

Waiting times in mental healthcare rising: ‘The longer you wait, the worse it gets’

Waiting times for mental healthcare in the Netherlands are increasing, particularly for complex cases such as eating disorders. Behavioral scientist Britt Speijer warns that these delays worsen patien...