Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Mayor Halsema: homeless foreign crack addicts may be repatriated more often
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has proposed scaling up the voluntary repatriation of homeless foreign drug users, particularly Eastern European migrants, to address the city's growing crack cocaine pro...
Blow for Ajax: Season over for goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros after serious knee injury
Ajax goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a serious knee injury during training on Friday. The Czech goalkeeper requires surgery and will be replaced by Ma...
Amsterdam asks government for help tackling moldy homes
Amsterdam Housing Alderman Zita Pels has requested support from the Dutch national government to address the issue of mold in local residential properties. The city aims to ensure healthy and mold-fre...
Iconic red Canta struggles against poor maintenance and trendiness
The iconic Canta microcar, a staple of Amsterdam's streets since 1995, is being celebrated in a new documentary series titled "Vrijheid op Wielen" for its 30th anniversary. While the vehicle remains a...
State Secretary advises parents to keep children away from play sand
Dutch State Secretary Judith Tielen has advised parents and organizations to prevent children from playing with play sand due to concerns over potential asbestos contamination. While no formal ban has...
Moldy homes: many reports are addressed but not resolved
An independent report on Amsterdam's mold eradication program reveals that while inspections have become faster, structural issues in many homes remain unresolved or receive only temporary fixes. Resi...
Fecal bacteria also found in drinking water near Kastelenstraat in Amsterdam South
Waternet has issued a boil water advisory for hundreds of addresses in Amsterdam-Zuid and Amsterdam Nieuw-West after fecal bacteria were detected following routine pipe maintenance. Residents in affec...
Another street in Amsterdam South issued boil water advisory: enterococci in tap water
Waternet has issued a boiling advisory for approximately 200 residents near Kastelenstraat in Amsterdam-Zuid after enterococci bacteria were detected in the tap water. The contamination occurred after...
Boil water advisory in part of Amsterdam: what are gut bacteria doing in our tap water?
Water utility Waternet has issued a boil-water advisory for 130 households in Amsterdam-Zuid and Nieuw-West after E.coli and Enterococci bacteria were detected in the tap water. Residents are advised ...
Everyone worse off under coalition plans, especially lower incomes
Proposed coalition plans from D66, VVD, and CDA are expected to reduce the purchasing power of all households, with lower-income earners facing the most significant impact. The decline is primarily at...
More common in men and active athletes: what we know about the origins of ALS
ALS is a progressive muscle disease that causes increasing paralysis and is currently incurable, though neuroscientist Jeroen Pasterkamp notes that significant advancements have been made in treatment...
Colleagues react to Eric Dane's death: 'Left a lasting impression'
Colleagues are paying tribute to American actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in *Grey's Anatomy* and *Euphoria*, following his death at the age of 53. He passed away on Thursday due to complications...
Eric Dane (53), 'McSteamy' from Grey's Anatomy, dies from ALS
Actor Eric Dane, known for his roles in *Grey's Anatomy* and *Euphoria*, passed away on Thursday at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS. His family confirmed the news in a statement to *People* ...
Is the boil-water advisory in two streets a cause for concern?
Waternet has issued a boiling water advisory for several addresses in Amsterdam after bacteria were detected during routine daily quality inspections. Experts state that these measures are strictly pr...
HEMA also recalls play and craft sand over possible asbestos
HEMA is recalling play and craft sand from its stores due to the potential presence of asbestos in the products. Customers are urged to return the affected items to the store immediately for safety re...
Mother celebrates child's first failing grade with apple pie: does it really help against performance pressure?
To combat the high performance pressure faced by modern youth, a mother celebrated her child’s first failing grade with an apple pie. This gesture aims to demonstrate that academic results are not t...
Tropical disease chikungunya now seen in Europe: how to recognize it according to a doctor
Chikungunya, a tropical mosquito-borne virus, is increasingly being detected in Europe, with experts warning of its potential further spread. Infectiologist Steven Van Den Broucke explains that the di...
Philips still plagued by sleep apnea scandal: CEO also sued
Philips continues to face legal repercussions from its 2021 sleep apnea device recall, with American investors filing a lawsuit against CEO Roy Jakobs in December. Investors in the Netherlands are als...
Fecal bacteria in Amsterdam drinking water: boil water advisory for 81 households
Waternet has issued a boil water advisory for 81 households in Amsterdam-West after enterococci bacteria were detected in the drinking water during construction work. A similar advisory for E. coli in...
Zuckerberg gives rare testimony in social media addiction case
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in court on Wednesday for the first time regarding Instagram’s impact on the mental health of young users. During the testimony, he was questioned about how age li...
Advisory body SER calls for eight weeks of paid leave for informal caregivers
The Dutch advisory body SER is calling for the government to provide eight weeks of paid leave to help informal caregivers balance their jobs with their caregiving responsibilities. This recommendatio...
Actor Tommy Lee Jones' daughter died of drug overdose
Victoria Jones, the 34-year-old daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, died from a cocaine overdose on New Year’s Day. According to court documents, she was found lifeless in a San Francisco hotel room ...
Few people ill in January for the time of year
Employee absenteeism in January was lower than in previous years, but rates are now rising due to the start of a flu epidemic. The celebration of Carnival is expected to further contribute to this inc...
New cabinet cuts benefits: how the plans hit the long-term sick
The new Dutch cabinet’s proposed budget cuts will reduce benefits for fully incapacitated employees by up to 270 euros per month. Additional austerity measures could potentially increase these losse...
The older, the stiffer: Expert explains how stretching keeps you flexible and prevents pain
Movement scientist Jo de Ruiter explains how regular stretching can help older adults maintain flexibility and prevent pain as the body naturally stiffens with age. The expert provides guidance on pro...
After Henny’s (58) unexpected death, Willem opens her dream shop: ‘In that world she felt safe’
Following the unexpected death of 58-year-old Henny Christophersen, her husband Willem is opening a dollhouse shop in Lochem to honor her memory. Henny, who owned 40 dollhouses, found solace in the mi...
Even tot hier presenter Jeroen Woe cancels theater shows due to inflammation
Dutch comedian and "Even tot hier" presenter Jeroen Woe has canceled all upcoming theater performances with partner Niels van der Laan through the end of March. The cancellations are due to an abdomin...
Children on their mother (90) with dementia: ‘She smelled of urine, but forcing help was not allowed’
Brothers Vincent and Frank Volmer are expressing powerlessness regarding their 90-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia and incontinence but refuses professional help. Despite her deteriorating h...
Sophia (4) has Rett syndrome and talks with her eyes: ‘She is trapped in her own body’
Four-year-old Sophia Verwijs from Tholen, Netherlands, lives with Rett syndrome, a condition that requires her to communicate using her eyes and leaves her physically dependent on others. Her parents,...
The yo-yo effect is real: doctors explain what can happen when losing a lot of weight
Internist-endocrinologist Liesbeth van Rossum and obesity doctor Mariëtte Boon are highlighting the biological challenges of permanent weight loss and the reality of the "yo-yo effect." Their insight...