Growing pressure on international cooperation and the spread of disinformation and misinformation pose “new major threats” to public health in the Netherlands, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). In a recent risk assessment on global developments, experts also raised concerns about the “decreasing effectiveness” of the World Health Organization (WHO) and a decline in willingness to be vaccinated.
At the same time, previously identified risks remain. These include climate change, environmental pollution and antimicrobial resistance. This occurs when bacteria, viruses and fungi become less responsive to medicines designed to treat them. The RIVM warns that this could make it harder to respond to future outbreaks. It adds that “the next outbreak of an infectious disease with pandemic potential” is not unlikely.
The institute stresses that these threats can develop quickly and often interact with each other. This increases the risk of a polycrisis, in which several emergencies reinforce one another. The RIVM points to the coronavirus crisis as an example of how a health crisis can affect all parts of society. It also notes that current government plans lack measures to ensure broad public support during a prolonged health crisis. In such cases, all ministries should be involved, the institute says.
Cooperation under pressure
International cooperation in health is under pressure. The RIVM highlights that the United States has withdrawn from several international organisations and agreements, including the Paris Climate Agreement and the WHO. This is seen as a concern, as global cooperation is needed to address “cross-border health threats.”
As cooperation weakens, scientific research is also becoming more fragmented. For example, WHO plans to tackle harmful fungi have been put on hold. According to the RIVM, such developments could negatively affect public health in an open and internationally connected country like the Netherlands.
Despite these risks, the Netherlands remains a leader in some areas. The country is seen as strong in tackling antimicrobial resistance, with responsible antibiotic use and well-organised laboratory networks and protocols.
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