Health

A new RIVM study reveals that PFAS levels in the blood of Dutch adults have decreased significantly since 2016, though 71 per cent of individuals still exceed health guidance limits. Health officials attribute the national decline to European bans on specific toxic chemicals, while warning that regional hotspots like Zeeuws-Vlaanderen still register elevated concentrations.

Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven has expanded its Obesity Centre to offer weight-loss medication for patients with a BMI over 35. The program combines pharmaceuticals with a two-year lifestyle initiative involving dietitians, physiotherapists, and medical specialists. Patients need a referral to join, and health insurance reimbursement requires a prior one-year lifestyle intervention or a diabetes diagnosis.

Pesticides containing PFAS "forever chemicals" are threatening drinking water supplies across the Netherlands, with annual usage nearly doubling to 465,000 kilograms between 2022 and 2024. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) warns that these persistent chemicals release over 21,000 kilograms of non-degradable acid each year, contaminating soil, crops, and tap water while posing serious risks to human health, including liver damage and birth defects. Calling for an urgent phase-out of PFAS pesticides, the watchdog warned that failing to curb these discharges is simply passing a major public health crisis onto future generations.

Health Minister Sophie Hermans has advised people to sleep under a mosquito net if they have one to guard against West Nile virus, following nine new cases and three deaths among elderly individuals with underlying health conditions. Emphasising that preventing mosquito bites is the only way to stop the virus—which spreads from birds to humans via mosquitoes—Hermans urged the public to stay vigilant about insects indoors. Rather than launching a broad public information campaign, the ministry is focusing its efforts on sending symptom guidance directly to general practitioners and regional health services.

During a parliamentary coronavirus inquiry, expert Anja Schreijer warned that global systems are still not ready for a new pandemic and stressed the need for better cooperation, shared resources, and aligned measures.

Dutch Health Minister Sophie Hermans has urged the public to guard against mosquito bites following the re-emergence of West Nile virus in the Netherlands, where the RIVM has confirmed at least nine cases across Utrecht, South Holland, North Holland, and North Brabant this year. With health authorities on high alert after the virus caused a fatality in Drenthe in early August, Hermans noted that while severe outcomes usually affect patients with underlying conditions, the illness can still be serious and requires vigilant precaution.

A new Dutch study finds that adults who worry a lot about major societal issues are more likely to experience mood disorders, anxiety disorders, or problematic substance use.

A new study reveals that no Dutch lakes or swimming ponds currently meet all chemical water‑quality requirements. While biological quality has improved slightly over the past decade, chemical pollution including PFAS, pesticides, and nutrient overload has worsened significantly.