Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Maaike Ouboter stops drinking while touring: ‘It affects my voice, especially when my immunity is low’
Singer-songwriter Maaike Ouboter shares in a recent interview that she has stopped drinking alcohol while touring because it negatively affects her voice. She also discusses her new interest in boxing...

Martin Gaus happy with life out of the spotlight despite health problems
Eighty-two-year-old Dutch television personality Martin Gaus is facing serious health challenges, including Parkinson's disease and heart issues, which have led him to scale back his daily life. Gaus ...

Police and Customs seize bags of vapes at business park in Hoofddorp
Police and Customs officials confiscated bags of illegal vapes and nicotine pouches during a raid at a business park in Hoofddorp. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific details of the invest...
Don't panic, but be alert: what you need to know about the West Nile virus
The West Nile virus has been detected in the Netherlands and is expected to remain present. Experts advise against panic while recommending that people learn how to identify symptoms and protect thems...
Cabinet orders independent investigation into sperm donation malpractice
The Dutch Ministry of Health is initiating a comprehensive, independent investigation into historical malpractices within the sperm donation sector, spanning from the mid-20th century to 2025. This 65...
Cabinet eases rules for remains: resomation and sharing a coffin allowed
The Dutch government is seeking to modernize burial laws to allow for resomation, a sustainable liquid-based decomposition process. Additionally, the proposal includes new options for couples to be bu...

New friendships thanks to dining club: "Thought I was too old for it"
Resto VanHarte, a community dining initiative active throughout the Netherlands, is helping residents in Landsmeer combat loneliness by providing a space for social connection. The club has successful...
Primary school teacher absenteeism in Amsterdam highest among major cities: 'I've had to send a class home eight times'
Amsterdam continues to report the highest rate of teacher absenteeism among major cities for the third year in a row, according to a report by DUO. Schools are struggling to secure substitute teachers...
We can do something to prevent dementia: lifestyle changes can have a major impact
Recent Dutch research suggests that addressing seven lifestyle and social factors, particularly loneliness, could potentially reduce dementia cases in the Netherlands by over thirty percent. Experts a...
Why tutoring isn't always necessary and can be much cheaper
As the new school year begins, many parents in the Netherlands are turning to tutoring and homework assistance for their children. The number of service providers has doubled in a decade, raising ques...

Record number of healthcare vacancies: labor market shortage remains severe
The Netherlands is facing a severe labor market crisis driven by record vacancies in healthcare and construction, exacerbated by an aging population and high absenteeism. Experts argue that overcoming...
NVWA: squishy dumplings, which were pulled from shelves en masse, are not dangerous for children after all
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has determined that squishy dumpling toys are safe for children despite concerns over a strong chemical odor. Lab testing revealed that the ...
Over half of adults in Haarlem exercise weekly, significantly more than in comparable municipalities
Data from the new VitIndex system shows that 66 percent of adults in Haarlem exercise weekly, which is a higher rate than in similar Dutch municipalities. Additionally, more than half of the city's ad...

Balans takes legal action against the State over the problem of school absenteeism: "More appropriate education needed"
The parents' association Balans is taking the Dutch State to court, arguing that the government has failed to guarantee the right to education for children who are currently falling out of the school ...

Employees increasingly dropping out due to stress-related complaints
Data from ArboNed and HumanCapitalCare shows a 12 percent rise in stress-related absenteeism among Dutch employees over the last year. Long-term absences represent the bulk of the issue, with stress-r...

Sports party for children at Cruyff Foundation open day: "Also for kids like me, in a wheelchair"
The Johan Cruyff Foundation hosted its 26th annual open day at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, allowing over 1,300 children to try thirty different sports. The event focuses on inclusivity, ensuring...
Number of nuisance reports involving confused persons in Haarlem has been rising since 2023
The number of nuisance reports involving confused persons in Haarlem has risen steadily since 2023, reaching 1,491 incidents in the first eight months of 2024. National police figures show a similar u...

Singer Michael Kiwanuka forced to cancel summer shows due to brain hemorrhage
Singer Michael Kiwanuka cancelled his summer tour dates in the United States and Europe after suffering a serious brain hemorrhage. He is currently undergoing a long rehabilitation process and remains...
Man claiming tinnitus from MRI at UMC Utrecht loses court case
An Amsterdam man has lost a court case against UMC Utrecht in which he sought information and facility access to prove the hospital caused his tinnitus during an MRI scan. The court denied all his req...
Uterus appears to move constantly, and that says a lot about the chance of pregnancy
Researchers led by gynecologist Dick Schoot have discovered that the uterus is a dynamic organ that exhibits wave-like movements. These movements provide significant insights into uterine health and c...

Lionel Richie undergoes procedure for heart arrhythmia
Singer Lionel Richie has undergone an ablation procedure to address a heart arrhythmia. He is currently resting and has cancelled three upcoming concert dates, though he is expected to return to the s...

Amsterdam wants to pilot medication for crack users: "Government must grant permission"
Mayors of the four largest Dutch cities have requested government approval to use dexamphetamine as a medical treatment for crack cocaine addiction. Researchers aim to launch a pilot program in Amster...
Not fit after your holiday? Personal trainer advises: 'Train less, but more often for shorter periods'
Personal trainer Sebastian van der Kroft shares tips on how to regain fitness after the holidays. He recommends training for shorter durations but more frequently to effectively improve physical condi...

National exercise challenge gets Haarlem residents moving: "The oldest is 96!"
Haarlem residents recently gathered at the Wilsonsplein playground to celebrate a nationwide exercise day, reflecting a regular community-led initiative held twice a week. The event drew sixty partici...

Actress Hayden Panettiere died from combination of drugs and medication
Actress Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 on August 16 due to an accidental combination of fentanyl and other medications. Known for her roles in Heroes, Nashville, and the Scream film franchise...
PFAS in Amsterdam's drinking water mainly comes from polluted Rhine: ‘The solution lies largely in Germany’
Amsterdam's drinking water contains PFAS levels exceeding recommended safety guidelines. Research indicates that the majority of these chemicals originate from the Rhine river before it enters the Net...
Ajax player Kasper Dolberg sidelined for extended period due to injury with Danish national team
Ajax player Kasper Dolberg will be sidelined for an extended period following an injury sustained while playing for the Danish national team. Consequently, his club teammate Anton Gaaei has been calle...

World Cup visitors bombarded with fast food and drink advertisements
A study found that unhealthy food and drink brands dominated advertising during the World Cup, appearing in over 70 percent of all visible branding throughout the live matches. These advertisements we...

Death of Cindy Crawford's son investigated as possible overdose
The son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, Presley Gerber, has died, with authorities in Santa Monica investigating the death as a potential drug overdose. Gerber, a successful model who had previous...
Health Council advises against structural 13-week ultrasound
The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised against the structural implementation of the 13-week ultrasound, citing high rates of false positives and missed abnormalities. Despite this recommend...