Health News in English

Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

RIVM estimate: one in four adults in this part of Haarlem feels lonely
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RIVM estimate: one in four adults in this part of Haarlem feels lonely

Recent data from the CBS, RIVM, and GGD reveals that one in seven Haarlem residents experiences intense loneliness, with certain neighborhoods reaching one in four. The report highlights that younger ...

Cabinet allocates millions for evacuation of 250 sick children from Gaza to Jordan
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Cabinet allocates millions for evacuation of 250 sick children from Gaza to Jordan

The Dutch government is providing 12 million euros to support medical care for children from the Gaza Strip, including 6 million euros specifically for the evacuation and treatment of 250 children in ...

René Froger cancels anniversary show due to illness but wants to perform with Toppers
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René Froger cancels anniversary show due to illness but wants to perform with Toppers

Singer René Froger has canceled his December 18 anniversary show because his ongoing struggle with myositis prevents him from performing at his usual standard. He plans to prioritize his recovery and...

Fatbike rider who crashed into tram with 2-year-old son on Hugo de Grootplein sentenced to community service
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Fatbike rider who crashed into tram with 2-year-old son on Hugo de Grootplein sentenced to community service

A man has been sentenced to community service after ignoring a red light and crashing his fatbike into a tram at Amsterdam's Hugo de Grootplein, causing his young son to suffer a skull fracture and br...

Carrot cream doesn't help you age gracefully: the miracle cure is sunscreen
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Carrot cream doesn't help you age gracefully: the miracle cure is sunscreen

During a Harper’s Bazaar breakfast session in Amsterdam, experts discussed strategies for aging gracefully. While various beauty products were showcased, the group concluded that the most effective ...

Victims of Osdorp gym explosion angry over slow aid, demand evaluation
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Victims of Osdorp gym explosion angry over slow aid, demand evaluation

Three victims of a June 2026 gym explosion in Amsterdam-Osdorp are calling for an official investigation into the emergency response after claiming they were neglected by responders. The incident, lin...

What it's like when your mother (54) has young-onset dementia: 'I will always take care of her'
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What it's like when your mother (54) has young-onset dementia: 'I will always take care of her'

The family of Jolanda van Dam is raising over 10,000 euros for Alzheimer Nederland by baking and selling hundreds of apple pies. Jolanda was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at age 48, prompting...

Children grieve too, but differently than adults: 'Mom, am I going to die too?'
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Children grieve too, but differently than adults: 'Mom, am I going to die too?'

Doctor Marguérite Gorter-Stam and grief expert Manu Keirse have written a book offering guidance on how to discuss illness and death with children. The authors emphasize the importance of using clear...

Tenants of moldy homes confront landlord Eigen Haard: "It's been going on since 1999"
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Tenants of moldy homes confront landlord Eigen Haard: "It's been going on since 1999"

Tenants from twenty-one homes in Amsterdam staged a protest at the headquarters of housing corporation Eigen Haard to demand action against persistent mold issues. The corporation has pledged to devel...

Toren C actress Maike Meijer had cancer: 'It came at a rather unfortunate time'
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Toren C actress Maike Meijer had cancer: 'It came at a rather unfortunate time'

Actress Maike Meijer disclosed that she had to postpone the production of her film, Wen Er Maar Aan, after being diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her kidney. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread,...

René Froger suffers from autoimmune disease and must take a rest
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René Froger suffers from autoimmune disease and must take a rest

Dutch singer René Froger is taking an indefinite break from performing after struggling with the autoimmune disease myositis for the past eighteen months. The 65-year-old artist is prioritizing his h...

Schiphol begins cleaning 200,000 tons of contaminated soil in PFAS 'car wash'
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Schiphol begins cleaning 200,000 tons of contaminated soil in PFAS 'car wash'

Schiphol Airport has launched an on-site soil cleaning facility to treat 200,000 tons of earth contaminated with PFAS from historical firefighting foam. The installation washes the soil to extract pol...

People who fail to pay health insurance premiums will no longer face higher bills
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People who fail to pay health insurance premiums will no longer face higher bills

The Dutch government plans to abolish the 10 percent surcharge currently imposed on health insurance premiums for individuals who fall behind on payments. Both the CAK and health insurers agree that t...

Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed
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Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed

The mayors of four major Dutch cities have sent a joint letter to the cabinet requesting urgent support to tackle the escalating crisis of homelessness and crack addiction. They are seeking authorizat...

Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed
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Mayors in letter to cabinet: medicine for crack addicts is needed

The mayors of four major Dutch cities have appealed to the national cabinet for funding and permission to research medical treatments for crack addiction. They argue that rising numbers of homeless an...

Didn't exercise during the holidays? No need to worry about losing muscle mass: 'They have a good memory'
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Didn't exercise during the holidays? No need to worry about losing muscle mass: 'They have a good memory'

Many people worry about losing muscle mass after taking a break from exercise during the holidays. Personal trainer Sebastian van der Kroft explains that muscle memory allows individuals to regain the...

Demand for intensive elderly care in Haarlem to grow by 190 people by 2030
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Demand for intensive elderly care in Haarlem to grow by 190 people by 2030

Projections from the RIVM suggest that the number of residents in Haarlem requiring intensive, round-the-clock elderly care will grow by 190 people by 2030. This rising demand is largely attributed to...

More than just a meat substitute: seaweed is more versatile than you think
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More than just a meat substitute: seaweed is more versatile than you think

Seaweed is gaining popularity in the Netherlands due to its health benefits, sustainability, and versatility as a culinary ingredient. Various types, such as sea spaghetti, nori, and Irish moss, are b...

Need a moment for yourself? Here is where to book a massage in Haarlem city center
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Need a moment for yourself? Here is where to book a massage in Haarlem city center

This guide highlights various massage studios in the center of Haarlem that offer a range of services from traditional Eastern techniques to holistic relaxation therapies. Whether seeking relief from ...

Emergency services sound major alarm after carbon monoxide report in Haarlem apartment block
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Emergency services sound major alarm after carbon monoxide report in Haarlem apartment block

Emergency services are inspecting a forty-eight-unit apartment building in Haarlem after multiple carbon monoxide detectors were triggered early this morning. Firefighters are systematically checking ...

Continued concerns for farmer Willem from Ransdorp after sewer collapse: "I'm keeping a close eye on my livestock"
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Continued concerns for farmer Willem from Ransdorp after sewer collapse: "I'm keeping a close eye on my livestock"

Following a major sewer collapse that released 36,000 cubic meters of wastewater into the Ransdorp area, local farmers remain uncertain about the safety of their livestock. Residents have expressed fr...

Slight improvement in Amsterdam water quality: "But we are not there yet"
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Slight improvement in Amsterdam water quality: "But we are not there yet"

Water quality in and around Amsterdam has shown a slight improvement according to the Amstel, Gooi and Vecht water board, though officials warn that standards are not yet fully met. Authorities are ca...

Water quality around Amsterdam will not meet European standards by 2027, water board allocates extra funds
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Water quality around Amsterdam will not meet European standards by 2027, water board allocates extra funds

The Amstel, Gooi and Vecht water board has confirmed it will miss the 2027 European water quality targets due to complex environmental pressures. In response, the board has raised its investment budge...

What if the rainstorm of the century hits Haarlem? 'Nearly 4,900 homes in vulnerable areas'
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What if the rainstorm of the century hits Haarlem? 'Nearly 4,900 homes in vulnerable areas'

Approximately 4,900 homes in Haarlem could face significant water accumulation if an extreme storm event, estimated to occur once every century, strikes the area. Research highlights that neighborhood...

Inez (80) is oldest woman to run Dam tot Damloop: "Overtaking people is the best part"
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Inez (80) is oldest woman to run Dam tot Damloop: "Overtaking people is the best part"

Eighty-year-old Inez de Rooij is preparing to participate in the Dam tot Damloop, aiming to set a new personal record for her age group. An avid athlete who trains four times a week, she expresses gre...

After heavy drinking and an ecstasy pill, 18-year-old Vera ends up with her father at Dr. Rutger's: 'I'm tripping hard, doctor'
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After heavy drinking and an ecstasy pill, 18-year-old Vera ends up with her father at Dr. Rutger's: 'I'm tripping hard, doctor'

As introductory days for higher education begin in the Netherlands, students are increasingly facing risks related to alcohol and drug use. A doctor highlights the challenges of treating young student...

Loes Haverkort undergoes surgery for brain tumor: 'The world turned upside down'
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Loes Haverkort undergoes surgery for brain tumor: 'The world turned upside down'

Actress Loes Haverkort has successfully undergone awake surgery to remove a low-grade, slow-growing brain tumor. She is currently recovering well and has already returned to work, with upcoming projec...

Is there such a thing as a strength athlete's heart and an endurance athlete's heart?
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Is there such a thing as a strength athlete's heart and an endurance athlete's heart?

Recent research from Amsterdam UMC challenges the long-standing belief that strength and endurance training create distinct types of heart adaptations. While scientists have confirmed the existence of...

Suddenly I felt an intense pain in my head and fell to the ground
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Suddenly I felt an intense pain in my head and fell to the ground

A 32-year-old art director experienced a sudden medical crisis that left them paralyzed and unable to speak, forcing a complete lifestyle change. Through intensive rehabilitation at a facility in Amst...

How exercise also helps your brain: It supports the ability to create new connections
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How exercise also helps your brain: It supports the ability to create new connections

Clinical neuropsychologist Erik Scherder and assistant professor Marit Ruitenberg explain that physical exercise significantly benefits brain function by fostering the creation of new neural connectio...